Junior Doctors' Experiences of Workplace Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand-A Scoping Review.

Background: The bullying, harassment, and discrimination (BHD) of junior doctors is associated with negative outcomes for doctors themselves and their patients. This review sought to examine literature relating to BHD among junior doctors in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, with a focus on definitions, prevalence rates, perpetrators, experiences/impacts, reporting, and mitigation strategies.

Methods: A scoping review of peer-reviewed and grey literature published from 2015 to 2023 was undertaken. Study participants were exclusively junior doctors in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. Six databases were searched during the review: PubMed, PsychInfo, Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest Dissertations and Theses, and the Cochrane Library.

Results: Eight articles were included in the review. Definitions of "bullying" emphasized the use of repeated behaviors aimed at humiliating or threatening targets. Two studies reported prevalence rates, which were in close agreement with each other. Senior doctors were identified as the most common perpetrators. Junior doctors were reluctant to use available reporting mechanisms, and there was very little evidence in support of mitigation strategies against BHD.

Conclusion: Our review demonstrates that while BHD is prevalent among junior doctors, efforts to address it are hindered by methodological issues, ineffective reporting mechanisms, and a shortage of research aimed at developing and trialing mitigation strategies. Researchers seeking to examine BHD should adopt broad terms that encompass all three concepts. Interventions aimed at addressing BHD should target the attitudes and behaviors of senior doctors. The effectiveness and transparency of reporting mechanisms must be improved in order for junior doctors to fully utilize them.