Australian Medical Association

AMA Position Statement: Workplace Bullying and Harassment - 2009

There is good evidence that bullying and harassment of doctors occurs in the workplace. One Australian study found that 50% of Australian junior doctors had been bullied in their workplace, and a New Zealand study reported that 50% of doctors had experienced at least one episode of bullying behaviour during their previous three or sixth-month clinical attachment.

Workplace bullying of members of the medical workforce can occur between colleagues students and employees, and any contractors, patients, and family members with whom they are dealing.

The evidence is clear that workplace bullying contributes to poor employee health including the physical and psychological manifestations of stress and depression. Workplace bullying may affect medical students, junior doctors or senior specialists. Workplace bullying and harassment may impact on the training and education of doctors. It creates a poor learning environment due to the continued erosion of confidence, skills and initiative of the doctor, thereby creating a negative attitude towards their chosen specialty.

The AMA has prepared this position statement on workplace bullying and harassment in order to:

• to provide a guide for all doctors, hospital and practice managers to identify and manage workplace bullying and harassment;
• to raise awareness and reduce the exposure of doctors to workplace bullying and harassment; and
• to assist the medical profession in combating its perpetuation.

The AMA Position Statement on Electronic Prescription Transfer Systems – 2009 supports the development of an electronic prescription transfer system as a fundamental building block for a broader eHealth system in Australia. It sets out the high level principles that should underpin an electronic prescription transfer system.

The development of an e system in Australia is supported by:

1. the National eHealth Strategy
2. the KPMG Consultancy in Electronic Prescribing and Dispensing Final Report (commissioned by the Department of Health and Ageing);
3. the National Health and Hospital Reform Commission (NHHRC) Interim Report, including the supplementary paper on person-controlled electronic health records; and
4. commercial vendors actively promoting their prescribing systems.

The AMA position on other aspects of eHealth are set out in the following position statements:

AMA Position Statement – Unique Healthcare Identifiers – 2008
AMA Position Statement – Connectivity – 2007
AMA Position Statement – Safety and Quality of E-Health Systems – 2006

AMA Position Statement: Safety and Quality of E-Health Systems - 2006

AMA Position Statement: Quality and Safety in Public Hospitals - 2006

In this paper the AMA comments on the recent Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) paper titled Review of National Safety and Quality Accreditation Standards. The paper considers the concept of national safety and quality accreditation standards within the context of the broader, changing and evolving health care system. In preparing its comments the AMA reviewed the ACSQHC Work Plan for the period 2006/2007-2010/2011 as endorsed by Federal and State health ministers.

AMA Position Statement: Personal Safety and Privacy for Doctors - 2005

These guidelines are designed to assist doctors and supervisors in negotiating flexible working arrangements.

AMA Position Statement: Hospital Medical Officers' Hours of Work and Workloads: A Strategic Approach to Occupational Health and Safety - 1996

AMA Safe Hours Campaign: Risk Assessment of Junior Doctor Rosters

Remuneration and Conditions Information For up-to-date information on salaries, conditions of service, visiting medical officer rates and conditions and other contract information please contact your state/territory AMA Branch.