Acknowledging medical students' reports of intimidation and humiliation by their teachers in hospitals

The continuing existence of 'teaching by humiliation' of medical students and junior doctors in Australia has recently been highlighted in a number of research publications and media reports. This study investigates medical students' experiences of being intimidated or humiliated during their clinical rotations in Australian hospitals in paediatrics and adult medicine.

From factors identified in earlier research, a two-page survey was developed for administration at two Australian medical schools. Administered in Semester 2 of 2014, students were invited to add their own free-text comments at the conclusion of 17 closed questions. Using thematic analysis of the qualitative data, the researchers identified the common themes in the students' free-text comments, which are reported in this paper.

We found five main themes in the qualitative data: a spectrum of interpretations of and responses to 'teaching by humiliation', an accepted means of enculturating the young, teachers' techniques for asking questions, the victims and perpetrators of mistreatment and the variance of prevalence in different contexts.

Research shows the persistence of 'teaching by humiliation', even in paediatrics, particularly when doctors are questioning students in ways that shame them for their lack of knowledge. Given the many personal and professional costs of these practices, this cycle of mistreatment needs to be brought to an end. There is a need for students' reports of intimidation and humiliation to be acknowledged; the offending practices need to be interrupted, and more effective and respectful approaches to teaching need to be adopted.