ABOUT 40% of doctors in the country have experienced some form of bullying before, a survey has found.

The survey was conducted by Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) Section Concerning House Officers Medical Officers and Specialists and Junior Doctor Network involving 728 Malaysian doctors both in public and private practice, conducted from September 15 to October 1.

It recorded 253 cases of bullying with the highest number reported in Sarawak (15), followed by Selangor (nine) and Perak (eight).

“However, 197 were from unknown states. Sabah and Malacca have no confirmed cases of bullying,” the poll found.

It was stated in the survey that victims were unlikely to file a complaint out of fear or because they did not know how to go about it. Even when reported, there was lack of action on the part of the authorities.

It added that bullying impacted doctors of all ranks. The poll showed 168 medical officers reported being affected, while 50% of house officers and specialists said the same.

Of the 728 doctors who participated in the survey, 476 were medical officers, 207 were specialists and consultants, while 46 were house officers.

MMA Junior Doctor Network (JDN) spokesman Loke Xi Mun said 59% of junior doctors with less than two years’ experience reported that they worked more than their scheduled hours every day.

“The number drops with experience, but 51% of doctors with 10 years’ experience still reported that they had to work overtime at least three times a week.”

Meanwhile, MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz expressed worry over the numbers presented in the survey.

“The physical and emotional toll can lead to decreased job satisfaction, poor decision making, and a decrease in the quality of care provided,” she said.

Azizan also said doctors who feel burnout are more likely to make medical errors, leading them to quit and subsequently exacerbating the existing shortage of healthcare professionals.

“When we talk about the mental health of doctors, we are not only addressing a matter of individual concern but also one that directly impacts the health and wellbeing of our entire society,” she said. – October 15, 2023.