Taking a stand against bullying: Pink Shirt Day

Wednesday, February 28 marks Pink Shirt Day, also known as Anti-Bullying Day. This day began in Nova Scotia in 2007 when two students distributed 50 pink shirts to classmates after a new student was bullied for wearing one. With that one small act of kindness, Pink Shirt Day was born and has grown into a worldwide annual campaign to raise awareness of the issue of bullying in schools, workplaces, at home, and online.
 
The Canadian Medical Association Journal reports that 75% of medical students and residents disclose bullying, and according to the British Medical Journal, bullying is considered a silent epidemic.
 
In Doctors of BC’s annual Health Authority Engagement Survey, a downward trend in most health and safety scores has emerged over the past four years showing that physicians feel unsafe in their workplaces. This year’s results show that despite physicians reporting fewer physical or psychological safety incidents, those who did experience some kind of harassment experienced it more often. Further, 49% of respondents have been involved in, or impacted by, a physical or psychological safety issue; 48% feel their hospital/facility takes effective action to prevent violence in the workplace; and 47% feel their hospital/facility takes effective action to promote a health and safe workplace.
 
Bullying, intimidation, and harassment have no place in the workplace or in medicine, and Doctors of BC has taken significant action to support doctors facing physical and psychological safety concerns through our Physician Health and Safety Agreement. Ensuring all doctors have a physically and psychologically safe work environment is imperative for their overall well-being, and for their ability to provide the best care possible for patients.

I am hopeful that, together, we can succeed in ensuring healthy and safe work environments for our physicians. Let us create a healthcare culture that can lift up and motivate its providers so they in turn can provide the best and safest care possible to their patients. – Dr Ahmer Karimuddin, Doctors of BC President.

Physicians who encounter issues of physical or psychological health and safety, or who have been involved or impacted by a past event, are encouraged to connect with their local Regional Advisor and Advocate. Additionally, if any medical student, resident, or physician is feeling bullied or harassed, please reach out to the Physician Health Program – they can confidentially help anyone feeling unsafe or threatened.