Two out of five doctors have been bullied before, survey finds

PETALING JAYA: About 30-40% doctors in the country have experienced some form of bullying before, a survey has found.

The survey involving 728 Malaysian public and private doctors, conducted by the Malaysian Medical Association’s (MMA) Section Concerning House Officers Medical Officers and Specialists and Junior Doctor Network, found 253 cases of bullying with the highest reported in Sarawak (15), followed by Selangor (nine) and Perak (eight).

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

The survey, conducted from Sept 15 to Oct 1, 2024, also found 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 a lack of action.

The survey also found bullying affected doctors of all ranks with 168 medical officers affected, while 50% of house officers and specialists who participated in the survey reported the same.

A total of 476 doctors who participated in the survey were medical officers, 207 were specialists and consultants and 46 were house officers.

Most Malaysian doctors were also overworked with junior doctors the most affected.

MMA president Dr Azizan Abdul Aziz said the findings of the survey confirmed that bullying and harassment at healthcare facilities was prevalent and widespread.

“The MMA expresses deep concern over these findings as these issues, if left unaddressed, can have a significant impact on patient care especially in the public healthcare sector,” she said.

The survey also found that most Malaysian doctors were overworked with junior doctors the most affected.

About 60% of junior doctors with less than two years’ experience work overtime daily, while 20% of doctors with over two years’ experience work overtime every day.

“Another 30-40% still work overtime at least three times a week.

“As for the frequency of Malaysian doctors working overtime, 35% of doctors work overtime one to two times per week, 32% work overtime three to four times per week, 24% every day and 9% never do,” found the survey.

Dr Azizan said while only a small number of doctors participated in the survey, the findings were still significant.

“On bullying, these findings may be just the tip of the iceberg as many others might be suffering in silence. States with no reports of bullying does not mean there aren’t any,” she said.

The resignation rate among Malaysian contract doctors also rose by a staggering 1,131% in the past six years.

Therefore she said it was imperative for the Health Ministry to urgently take proactive measures to ensure all necessary improvements in the work culture at all government healthcare facilities.