Threats, discipline, fear: The muzzling of B.C. health-care workers
CTV
Many British Columbia medical staffers are frustrated and even angry about what they describe as a culture of fear and silence when it comes to raising questions about the quality of care in the province, as well as other issues.
Many British Columbia medical staffers are frustrated and even angry about what they describe as a culture of fear and silence when it comes to raising questions about the quality of care in the province, as well as other issues.
For months, CTV News has been speaking to health-care staffers on background, meaning they have agreed to provide information on the condition that their names and any identifying details are withheld from publication for fear of reprisal from their employers: hospitals, health authorities and government agencies.
In all of these conversations, the health-care workers who spoke to CTV News have been meticulous about avoiding any breaches of patient confidentiality.
They describe having a duty of care to report issues around patient safety or adequate care, but being labeled as troublemakers or even facing disciplinary action for coming forward to administrators. The idea of speaking publicly was out of the question for most, as they claimed to have been warned and even threatened against doing so by higher-ups.
Professional associations, which typically speak on behalf of their members, are unsurprised that a growing number of workers are risking their jobs by speaking out. Many have begun posting on social media because they see no other way of raising the alarm about patient care concerns, problems with facility or interpersonal operations, and even toxic workplaces.
“We feel like there isn't a place where we can speak out that gets heard or listened to, so we feel, at times, the last resort is to speak truth either on social media or otherwise,” said Doctors of BC president Dr. Josh Greggain, pointing out the current strain in the system is a tipping point for many.
“In medicine, one of our roles is advocate for our patients.”
