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In the world of medicine, where the mission is to care for others, a troubling issue often lies beneath the surface: workplace toxicity. Dr. Kellie Lease Stecher, an OB/GYN in Minneapolis, found herself entangled in this very problem after reporting a sexual assault allegation from a patient against one of her male colleagues. When she disclosed the incident to her supervisor, she was told not to file a report, and the issue was left unaddressed. After seeking advice from her mentors, Stecher felt morally and legally obligated to report the allegation to the Minnesota Medical Board. Her decision, however, led to personal and professional repercussions, transforming her workplace into a hostile environment.
“I got to a point where I felt like I couldn’t say anything at any meetings without being targeted afterward,” Stecher said. The bullying intensified, with colleagues fat-shaming her and her supervisor regularly chastising her for reporting the incident. Unfortunately, Stecher’s experience is not unique in the medical world.
The Widespread Nature of Bullying in Healthcare
Mistreatment in the healthcare sector has become a growing concern, as bullying, harassment, and exclusion permeate every level of the profession. A 2019 research review revealed that 26.3% of healthcare workers had experienced bullying, which can lead to burnout, depression, physical health problems, and absenteeism. The 2024 Medscape Physician Workplace Culture Report echoed these findings, with alarming statistics:
- 38% of physicians said workplace culture is declining.
- 70% believe their employers are not committed to fostering a positive culture.
- 48% think their colleagues lack commitment to improving the environment.
This toxic culture has far-reaching implications, contributing to staffing shortages, physician attrition, inadequate leadership, and even increased suicide rates among medical professionals.
The Universal Problem of Medical Hierarchy
Dr. Farah Khan, an endocrinologist at UW Medicine, conducted a survey that revealed a staggering 68% of respondents had been bullied at some point in their medical careers. The problem is widespread, affecting every stage of a physician’s journey. The survey highlighted that 34% experienced the worst bullying during residency, 30% during medical school, and 24% as attendings.
The reported incidents included belittlement, exclusion, verbal abuse, harassment, and slurs. “What surprised me the most was how widespread this problem is and the many different layers of healthcare it permeates through,” said Khan.
The Mental Health Toll on Physicians
Bullying in healthcare is not only an issue of workplace culture but also one of mental health. The high-pressure environment often leads to burnout and emotional distress, and those who are mistreated sometimes lash out at others in turn. Dr. Mikkael Sekeres, a hematologist, shared his own experience during medical school, where he witnessed a prominent cardiothoracic surgeon berating staff during surgeries. The toxic environment discouraged Sekeres from pursuing a surgical career. “People bully when they themselves are hurting,” he noted, pointing out the cycle of mistreatment that stems from unaddressed emotional pain and exhaustion.
For Dr. Gail Gazelle, who worked as a hospice medical director and a Harvard Medical School clinician, the pressures of perfection in both her professional and personal life led to burnout and irritability. She eventually sought help through life coaching, which helped her regain emotional control and rebuild her relationships with colleagues and patients.
Institutional Solutions Needed
Dr. Stecher’s story ended with her termination, followed by a lawsuit citing sexual discrimination and wrongful termination. Her case highlights the entrenched negative hierarchical dynamics in medicine, where cronyism and rigid structures often create an environment of exclusion and hostility. According to Stecher, challenging the status quo or offering new ideas is often seen as a threat.
The solution to this widespread issue lies not just in individual coping mechanisms but in institutional reform. Experts like Gazelle advocate for zero-tolerance policies for bullying and mistreatment in healthcare settings. “We can’t afford to have things going on like this that just destroy the fabric of the healthcare endeavor,” Gazelle emphasized, pointing to the potential for poor patient care, greater errors, and widespread dissatisfaction within the profession.
A recent survey found that 93% of physicians believe workplace culture is important when considering job offers, with 70% saying culture is as important as salary and 18% ranking it above financial considerations. Despite the growing awareness, many institutions still fall short in addressing these toxic environments.
Moving Toward Change
To create meaningful change, healthcare institutions must implement anonymous reporting systems, stronger administrative support, and leadership training to foster a culture of respect and dignity. These changes can help retain talent and ensure that physicians can fulfill their mission of caring for patients without being mired in toxic workplace dynamics.
Without these systemic changes, the ripple effects of toxicity will continue to harm both healthcare workers and the patients they strive to care for.
