14 July 2016
PRESS RELEASE – New Zealand Medical Students’ Association

Medical students back anti-bullying movement

The New Zealand Medical Students’ Association (NZMSA) applauds the progress being made in the campaign against bullying in medicine.

“Medical students are vulnerable to bullying in our hospitals given the power imbalance that can exist. However, recent changes are beginning to see this improve,” says NZMSA President Mike Fleete.

The introduction of compulsory anti-bullying training by the Royal Australian College of Surgeons is one of a host of measures being taken throughout medicine to combat bullying.

The Universities of Otago and Auckland are developing easier ways to report bad behaviour and create positive learning environments, while the Ministry of Health has set up a working group to tackle bullying.

“The efforts of individual doctors and many of the professional bodies in New Zealand are beginning to make positive changes for medical students and we want to acknowledge the impact they are having.”

“It is however essential that we keep the momentum up. This is an ingrained issue and we can only resolve it if we all stand together.”

The NZMSA applauds the leadership shown by the RACS and others and calls on all professional bodies to take decisive action on bullying, harassment and developing positive learning environments.

ENDS

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