Posted February 20, 2017 14:50:46 <\/p>\n
The dean of the ANU's medical school has helped launch a new campaign to stem bullying and harassment in the medical profession, saying she herself was a victim as a junior doctor. <\/p>\n
Imogen Mitchell said she experienced this kind of bad behaviour early in her career. <\/p>\n
\"Whilst I'm happy to acknowledge I have suffered those experiences, I still don't feel safe enough to speak out,\" Professor Mitchell said. <\/p>\n
The comment was made at the launch of a new booklet for victims outlining where to find help, written by two medical students. <\/p>\n
Professor Mitchell said although she was still uncomfortable talking about her own experiences, she hoped ANU students would feel safe enough to speak up. <\/p>\n
\"The reason I'm asking them to come forward, is because I feel I've created a safe environment,\" she said. <\/p>\n
\"I guess in the sphere that I had been operating, I don't think I would have said it was safe.\" <\/p>\n
Third-year medical student Greg Threlfall co-authored the booklet with school graduate Eilidh Gilritchie. <\/p>\n
Mr Threlfall said while he had never experienced bullying or harassment himself, many medical students who had came forward to contribute to the project. <\/p>\n
He said some of the stories the students shared were \"horrific\". <\/p>\n
\"They've all had input into this booklet, from the perspective of 'what would I have wanted if this happened to me and what would I want in terms of help?'\" he said. <\/p>\n
A 2003 Medical Journal of Australia study found 81 per cent of medical students had witnessed humiliation during adult clinical rotations. <\/p>\n
The same study found 74 per cent of students had experienced humiliation. <\/p>\n
Professor Mitchell said the ANU medical school would not accept bullying and harassment. <\/p>\n
\"We've taken it very seriously and have acted on it and there have been consequences,\" she said. <\/p>\n
She said as well as providing a valuable resource for victims, the launch of a the booklet was a symbolic moment as well. <\/p>\n
\"That you're drawing a line in the sand medical culture is going to take a long time to change. But I guess, you've got to start somewhere,\" she said. <\/p>\n
Topics: medical-ethics, health, doctors-and-medical-professionals, australian-national-university-0200, canberra-2600, act, australia <\/p>\n
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