It’s almost two week since the news of the houseman committing suicide in Penang Hospital surfaced. It’s yet another harsh reminder that mental health, burnout, and stress are indeed real concerns faced in our community. 

The healthcare industry is undoubtedly one of the most demanding and stressful ones out there. Long working hours, immense pressure from higher-ups, and heavy workload causes stress for many healthcare workers. 

After only a month of starting his housemanship, the late 25-year-old medical trainee was found dead after falling from a building nearby his residential unit. But this is not the first suicide case in Penang Hospital. Just two years ago, another doctor committed suicide after resigning from the same hospital [1].

What’s the reason behind this worrisome trend, and why is it not effectively addressed yet? 

Bullying Culture

As a sector that’s thought to operate on empathy and compassion, bullying must certainly have no place in health care. Unfortunately, reports on bullying culture and toxic work environments have always been around in hospitals. 

In the case of the late houseman, alleged bullying and an unprofessional work environment is said to have been a major contributing factor to the suicide. A number of former and current housemen in Penang Hospital have also come forward to speak about the toxic work conditions there. 

What’s even more saddening is that a specialist doctor, someone with years of expertise and knowledge, is among the five individuals suspected of bullying housemen. This is an example of dictatorial bullying culture, in which people with higher positions in the hierarchy pick on those in lower positions [2]. 

How To Identify Bullying? 

Bullying is a broad term that encompasses both emotional and physical bullying. The most common type of bullying in hospitals is emotional bullying, which includes verbal criticism, intimidation, leaving racial remarks, and mocking. 

Unlike physical bullying, emotional bullying leaves no visible scars. The pain of emotional bullying is often internalized, leading to pent-up distress and suffering. That being so, it’s rather challenging for us to ascertain the impact of emotional bullying on an individual. 

Bullying culture is so “normalized” that people see it as something to expect in the healthcare sector. The lack of transparency in protocols and strict consequences for bullies make it easy for anyone to get away with bullying.  

Workplace bullying causes increased stress which impairs one’s performance and quality of work. But it doesn’t have to remain this way. A place with no bullying or inequality can become a better learning ground for everyone. This will consequently lead to better management and patient outcomes. 

The Next Steps 

According to the latest press releases, the five suspects involved in this case will continue to work as usual despite ongoing investigations. Their medical licenses remain intact. 

“We can’t simply just transfer them elsewhere, we have to establish first what has taken place; some names (in the list) are specialist doctors. So transferring them would not be easy. For now, everyone is working as usual, but the investigations continue”—Khairy Jamaluddin, Health Ministry. 

Though there’s nothing much we can do about this case as regular people, we can advocate for a better tomorrow. Bullying should and must not be tolerated. 

Moving forward, local hospitals must be more conscious of the well-being of healthcare workers. They should have measures such as a staff support staff system, through which healthcare workers can make anonymous reports of bullying. 

There must also be readily available counseling and resources for healthcare workers on the hospital premises. This would encourage them to seek professional help if necessary. 

Mental Health Resources 

Last but not least, if you’re feeling depressed or living in a state of distress, try talking out your problem to someone close and trustworthy. Alternatively, you can dial up these anonymous helplines to obtain professional counselling and help. 

1. Be Frienders

This non-profit organization operates 24/7 to lend an ear to those in need of emotional support without any fee. 

• KL: 03-7956 8145 (24 hours)
• Ipoh: 05-547 7933 (4pm to 11pm)
• Penang: 04-281 5161 (3pm to midnight)

2. All Women’s Action Society 

Though this organization focuses on counseling gender-based violence, it’s open to both men and women. 

Helpline: 03-7877 0224

3. Life Line Association Malaysia 

“Help is as close as the telephone”—quite literally. This helpline offers 24-hour free consultation services. 

Helpline: 03-42657995

Mental health is important, so do not neglect yours. While talking to someone about your problems may not put them to an end, it may help ease your suffering. 

Bottomline 

This case of suicide must not be dismissed with the notion that “stress is a part of the job”. It’s far from that, and it reflects a more significant problem within the healthcare system and a diminished value of respect for one another. 

Hospitals and related governmental bodies should aim to improve the competency of healthcare workers by preparing comprehensive training. The ability to tolerate bullying shouldn’t be considered a parameter of their “readiness” to become competent healthcare workers. 

There should be no place for bullying in healthcare. We have to see more transparency and actions for improvement from the Ministry of Health (MOH) and other organizations in power.

References: 

1. Bullying has no place in health care (2021). Retrieved from Jointcommission.org website: https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/newsletters/newsletters/quick-safety/quick-safety-issue-24-bullying-has-no-place-in-health-care/bullying-has-no-place-in-health-care/#.YpGryqhBy5d
2. Iylia Marsya Iskandar (2022). MMA: Stress is part of the job. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from The Star website: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/11/mma-stress-is-part-of-the-job
3. Mazwin Nik Anis (2022). Task force members to investigate death of houseman in Penang to be named on May 13, says Khairy. Retrieved from The Star website: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/12/task-force-members-to-investigate-death-of-houseman-in-penang-to-be-named-on-may-13-says-khairy