When Compassion is Missing:
Bullying in Medical Colleges and Its Toll on Doctors’ Wellbeing

This blog isn’t just about raising awareness; it also serves as a reminder to pause and reflect. Doctors give so much of themselves to their patients, yet your own wellbeing deserves equal attention.

Bullying in medical colleges is more common than many practitioners realise and its impacts on mental health and wellbeing can be devastating.

Medical colleges and training organisations are meant to nurture, mentor and support. Yet toxic workplace culture continues to emerge in stories from staff, trainees and even governance levels. For doctors already under immense pressure, bullying is not just demoralising it is profoundly harmful to mental health, physical wellbeing, and professional identity.

Bullying in Medical Colleges: How It Shows Up in Training

National surveys reveal that one in three doctors-in-training experience or witness bullying, harassment, or discrimination. Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander doctors, the rate is even higher.

General practice pathways report lower rates overall, but registrars still describe being belittled, excluded from opportunities, or intimidated. Senior supervisors are often cited as perpetrators, showing how power imbalances within medical colleges can foster a toxic culture.

Bullying in medical colleges is therefore not isolated to individuals it is a systemic issue affecting trainees and senior doctors alike.

7 Wellbeing Impacts of Bullying on Doctors

Bullying in medical colleges directly undermines doctor wellbeing. Here are seven of the most damaging impacts:

1. Anxiety and Depression – Persistent intimidation and humiliation create chronic stress and clinical depression.

2. Loss of Professional Confidence – Constant criticism erodes self-esteem and clinical judgment.

3. Burnout and Compassion Fatigue – Bullying accelerates emotional exhaustion and detachment.

4. Sleep Disturbances – Stress contributes to insomnia and fatigue.

5. Physical Illness – Hypertension, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, and weakened immunity often follow.

6. Isolation – Many doctors withdraw, fearing further stigma or retaliation.

7. Attrition – Some leave training, or even the profession, due to hostile environments.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reminds us that wellbeing is “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” By this definition, bullying harms every aspect of a doctor’s health. WHO on Wellbeing

Wellbeing Check-In for Practitioners

Take a moment to pause and reflect:

1. Am I feeling safe and respected at work?
2. Have I noticed changes in my sleep, mood, or energy levels?
3. Do I feel supported by my peers and supervisors?
4. When was the last time I did something restorative outside of medicine?

If you answered “no” to most of these, you may be experiencing early signs of stress, burnout, or the effects of workplace bullying.

What you can do today:

• Reach out to a trusted colleague or mentor

• Schedule time for rest and activities that restore you

• Contact confidential support services if you feel unsafe or overwhelmed

Support Services in Australia:

Drs4Drs: 1300 374 377

Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636

Lifeline: 13 11 14

Five Ways to Wellbeing: A Practical Framework for Medicine

To move from harm to healing, medical colleges must embed wellbeing into culture. The Five Ways to Wellbeing provide a simple, evidence-based framework:

🤝 Connect – Build peer support and mentoring networks.

🏃 Be Active – Encourage movement breaks and balanced rostering.

👀 Take Notice – Promote mindfulness and reflection to spot early stress signs.

📚 Keep Learning – Provide training in leadership, communication, and respectful behaviours.

💙Give – Recognise contributions and foster opportunities to support colleagues.

Bullying in Medical Colleges: Why It Persists

Despite decades of awareness, toxic workplace culture in healthcare persists due to:

• Rigid hierarchies – Power concentrated in few hands

• Silence and stigma – Fear of reporting reputational damage

• Projection of stress – Senior staff displacing pressure onto juniors

• Normalisation – Abusive behaviours excused as “part of training”

• Weak accountability – Lack of transparent processes for handling complaints

Until these systemic drivers are addressed, bullying will remain a hidden but powerful force within medical colleges.

Building a Culture of Wellbeing in Medical Colleges

True wellbeing in medical colleges requires cultural reform:

• Psychological Safety – Safe reporting channels without fear of reprisal

• Leadership Accountability – Boards must model respect and compassion

• Transparent Policies – Clear anti-bullying guidelines, visible and enforced

• Support Services – Stigma-free access to confidential counselling and wellbeing programs

• Recognition and Respect – Value doctors as people, not just professional

Final Word: Bullying Has No Place in Medicine

Toxicity and bullying in medical colleges have no place in healthcare. Doctors dedicate their lives to patients; they deserve compassion and dignity in return.

Until respect, compassion, and wellbeing frameworks are fully embedded in training and governance, both doctors and patients will continue to suffer.

It’s time to set a new standard:
Bullying has no place in medicine.
Doctor wellbeing must be non-negotiable.
Our doctors — and our patients — deserve better.

Explore More from Meducate

For more in-depth, science-backed insights on child health, emotional wellbeing, and evidence-based care, explore the rich library of thought leadership on the Meducate Blog. From functional foods and sleep science to trauma-informed healing and mental burnout, there’s a wealth of expert-written articles to support both practitioners and families.

Why Child Emotions Deserve Attention

Child emotions are powerful and often overwhelming. From joy to jealousy, pride to fear, children feel the full spectrum of emotions but often lack the words to express them. Without support, these emotions can show up as tantrums, withdrawal, or challenging behaviours.

Helping children to recognise, name, and regulate their emotions builds the foundation for resilience, empathy, and long-term mental wellbeing.

The Science of Child Emotions and the Brain

Emotions are deeply connected to brain development:

• Amygdala: Detects threats and activates “fight, flight, or freeze” responses. This is why children may react strongly to small frustrations.

• Prefrontal Cortex: Helps regulate emotions and plan responses. Since it isn’t fully developed until the mid-20s, children often need guidance to calm down and understand their feelings.

• Neuroplasticity: The brain’s ability to rewire itself. The more children practice naming and managing emotions, the stronger their regulation pathways become.

This explains why daily emotional literacy practice creates long-lasting benefits.

Why Naming Child Emotions Matters

Research in affective neuroscience shows that labeling emotions reduces their intensity by shifting brain activity away from the amygdala and toward the language-based areas of the brain.

For children, simply saying, “I feel nervous” or “I feel proud” makes the feeling more manageable.

Naming child emotions also:

• Validates their experiences (“It makes sense you feel nervous before school”).

• Encourages empathy as they recognise emotions in others.

• Prevents suppression, which has been linked to increased stress and anxiety.

5 Strategies to Support Child Emotions and Emotional Literacy

1. Use Visual Tools for Child Emotions

Children learn visually. Illustrated books such as How Do I Feel? A Dictionary of Emotions for Children provide simple definitions and relatable images that bring emotions to life.

2. Connect Child Emotions to the Body

Science shows emotions create physical reactions — fear quickens the heartbeat, anger tightens muscles, sadness feels heavy in the chest. Asking children, “Where do you feel this in your body?” strengthens self-awareness and regulation.

3. Model Emotional Language to Support Child Emotions

Children copy adult behaviour. When parents or teachers say, “I feel frustrated that traffic was slow, but I’m calming down now”, kids learn that emotions can be expressed safely and managed constructively.

4. Validate, Don’t Dismiss Child Emotions

Psychological research confirms that dismissing emotions (“Don’t cry, it’s nothing”) increases stress and erodes trust. Validation (“I see you’re sad — that must feel heavy”) builds emotional security and helps children feel understood.

5. Create Daily Emotional Check-Ins for Kids

Routine is powerful. A daily check-in using an emotion wheel, flashcards, or colour chart shows kids that feelings are normal and ever-changing. Over time, this strengthens neural pathways for reflection and self-regulation.

Helpful Tools for Supporting Child Emotions

How Do I Feel? (Book)
This beautifully illustrated book introduces over 60 child emotions with simple definitions and vivid metaphors. Designed to help kids recognise and name their feelings, it’s a perfect tool for families and schools building emotional literacy. By linking words with images, it supports healthy brain pathways for self-awareness. 👉 Shop on Amazon AU

Montessori Emotion Cards
These Montessori-inspired cards use playful animal illustrations to reflect common child emotions like pride, worry, and joy. Each card encourages recognition and reflection, making abstract feelings easier to grasp. Ideal for children aged 3+, they spark meaningful conversations while strengthening emotional vocabulary through imagery. 👉 Shop on Amazon AU

Learnworx Feeling Cards
A practical set of 60 cards designed for early years learning. Each card links child emotions to real-life scenarios — like feeling afraid of a spider — helping kids connect feelings with experiences. Durable and wipe-clean, they’re perfect for everyday use at home, preschool, or therapy sessions. 👉 Shop on Amazon AU

Photo-Based Flash Cards
Featuring real children’s facial expressions, these flashcards help build empathy and recognition skills. They are especially effective in linking child emotions to social cues, making them useful in classrooms, speech therapy, or group play. Kids learn not just to name emotions, but to see them in others. 👉 Shop on Amazon AU

Conscious Kids Emotion Cards
This 50-card deck combines emotions with open-ended prompts, encouraging children to reflect and share their feelings. Backed by child development strategies, it creates opportunities for dialogue and self-expression in group or family settings. A flexible tool for teaching emotional literacy in a fun, interactive way. 👉 Shop on Amazon AU

When Big Child Emotions Feel Overwhelming

Big emotions are a normal part of development. Emotional “meltdowns” happen when the amygdala takes over before the prefrontal cortex can respond. With consistent support, children learn to pause, name and regulate their feelings. Repetition strengthens the brain’s resilience pathways.

Final Thoughts on Child Emotions and Literacy

Emotional literacy is not about suppressing “bad” feelings it’s about recognising the full spectrum of child emotions. By giving kids the tools to name and reflect on their feelings, we equip them with skills for resilience, empathy, and wellbeing.

Science shows that even simple daily practices — like naming one emotion at bedtime or using flashcards during morning routines — can literally rewire a child’s brain for healthier emotional regulation.

Call to Action:

Bring emotional science into everyday life. Explore evidence-based tools like How Do I Feel? and emotion flashcards to make conversations about child emotions natural and empowering at home and in schools.

For more in-depth, science-backed insights on child health, emotional wellbeing, and evidence-based care, explore the rich library of thought leadership on the Meducate blog. From functional foods and sleep science to trauma-informed healing and mental burnout, there’s a wealth of expert-written articles to support both practitioners and families. Dive into topics like:

• Functional Foods: 7 Science-Backed Benefits for Better Health
• Healthy Eating for Kids: 8 Fun, Science-Backed Tips That Actually Work
• 7 Signs You’re Experiencing Mental Burnout Right Now

Visit now Meducate Blog

Explore Meducate Wellness on Pinterest for evidence-based tips and feel-good ideas,from healthy recipes and self-care strategies to parenting wisdom and emotional tools for kids. Highlights include:

• Science-backed bite-sized wellness routines
• Healthy Happy Kids: Backed by Science board with educational tips and book recommendations
• Calming rituals like lullabies and mindful bedtime guides

Visit now Meducate Welness on Pinterest

Check out the MedHeads YouTube Channel for expert conversations, science-backed insights, and practical health education. From emotional wellbeing and mental health to everyday lifestyle strategies, MedHeads makes complex topics accessible and engaging.

• Practitioner-led discussions on emotional literacy and wellbeing
• Science explained in simple, actionable terms
• New episodes every week

Subscribe now: MedHeads on YouTube

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Functional foods are among the most important trends in modern nutrition. More than just fuel, functional foods actively improve gut health, boost immunity, balance hormones, support heart health and even enhance longevity.

Think of blueberries packed with antioxidants, fermented foods that nurture the microbiome, or omega-3-rich salmon that protects against heart disease. These everyday ingredients are more than “healthy choices” they’re functional foods backed by decades of scientific research.

In this article, you’ll learn what functional foods are, the science behind their benefits, recommended products to add to your daily routine and expert-written books to explore functional nutrition further

What Are Functional Foods?

Functional foods are defined as everyday foods that deliver health benefits beyond basic nutrition. The concept first emerged in Japan in the 1980s with FOSHU (Foods for Specified Health Use), and today it’s a cornerstone of modern diet and lifestyle medicine.

They fall into three categories:

• Natural functional foods: e.g., berries, legumes, cruciferous vegetables, oily fish.

• Fortified foods: e.g., calcium-enriched plant milks, vitamin D-fortified cereals, probiotic yogurts.

• Engineered functional foods: e.g., mushroom coffee, prebiotic sodas, protein bars enriched with fiber.

7 Science-Backed Benefits of Functional Foods

1. Functional Foods for Cardiovascular Health

• Beta-glucans in oats lower LDL cholesterol by binding bile acids.

• Omega-3 fatty acids reduce triglycerides and improve arterial function.

2. Nutrition That Supports Brain Function & Mood

• Prebiotics (inulin, resistant starch) fuel gut bacteria, producing SCFAs like butyrate.

• Probiotics enhance intestinal barrier function and microbiome diversity.

3.Nutrition That Supports Brain Function & Mood

• Polyphenols in cocoa, green tea, and blueberries reduce oxidative stress.

• Fermented foods improve mood via the gut-brain axis.

4. Foods That Balance Hormones

• Soy isoflavones act as phytoestrogens, easing menopausal symptoms.

• Omega-3s support fertility and reproductive health.

5. Functional Foods for Longevity

• Mediterranean diet staples (olive oil, legumes, cruciferous vegetables) reduce chronic disease risk.

• Antioxidants protect against cellular aging.

6. Anti-Inflammatory Foods for Better Health

• Turmeric (curcumin) reduces inflammatory markers like CRP.

• Omega-3s downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines.

7. Nutrient-Rich Foods for Energy & Metabolism

• Whole grains provide steady glucose release.

• Adaptogens (like ashwagandha, reishi mushrooms) support stress resilience.\

Recommended Books on Functional Foods & Nutrition

Expand your knowledge of functional foods with these expert resources:

	Beyond Foods: The Handbook of Functional Nutrition (Barbara Swanson, 2019) Buy it here
	The China Study (T. Colin Campbell) Buy it here
	Ultra-Processed People (Chris van Tulleken, 2023) Buy it here
	Eat Yourself Healthy / Love Your Gut (Dr. Megan Rossi, 2019) Buy it here
	Eat More, Live Well (Dr. Megan Rossi, 2021) Buy it here
.	The Young Forever Cookbook (Dr. Mark Hyman) Buy it here

Key Takeaways

• Functional foods improve heart health, gut balance, hormones, brain function, inflammation and longevity.

• Incorporating them daily is simple: add probiotics, swap sugary drinks for prebiotic sodas, or enjoy antioxidant-rich produce.

• The recommended products and books provide practical tools to put functional nutrition into action.

Call to Action

🌱 Functional foods are a science-backed way to eat smarter and live longer. 🌱

Start today: add a probiotic yogurt to breakfast, try a turmeric latte, or swap your afternoon coffee for a mushroom blend. For deeper insights, explore one of the recommended books — your future self will thank you

👉For more practical posts on nutrition, health, and patient behaviour, explore the full Meducate blog.

References

1. Slavin, J. (2013). Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits. Nutrients.

2. Calder, P. C. (2017). Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes. Biochem Soc Trans.

3. Gibson, G. R., et al. (2017). The ISAPP consensus on the definition and scope of prebiotics. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol.

4. Grosso, G., et al. (2017). Dietary polyphenols and human health. Nutrients.

5. Estruch, R., et al. (2013). Mediterranean diet and cardiovascular prevention. NEJM.

Affiliate Disclaimer

This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products and books we believe provide real value.