Intellectual Bullying in Specialty Medicine: Do We Have A Problem?

Presentation Description / Summary: No matter one’s role in specialty veterinary medicine, a lifelong commitment to excellent interpersonal communication, practice of evidence-based medicine, and acquisition of specialist level knowledge is required. Intellectual bullying is a form of emotional and psychological harassment that permeates both within and between individuals in industry, academia, and private practice. Perpetrators of intellectual bullying might use either real or perceived power, prestige, and/or tenure associated with their position to exert their influence over others (eg, within or outside their organizations, or with collaborating general practitioner veterinarians). Unexpectedly, some of these behaviors might come from a place of good intent, in which perpetrators perceive these behaviors as the most effective pathway to share knowledge, educate trainees, and elevate the standard of patient care. No single individual is immune to intellectual bullying, and attendees of this session will gain greater insight into this dynamic. The first half of this 50-minute session will cover examples of intellectual bullying, ranging from mild to severe, as well as a discussion into evidence-based origins of why these behaviors develop in the first place. The impact of this problem and proposed solutions, as they relate to both private practice and academic specialty sectors, will be addressed in the latter half. After this session, attendees will feel comfortable identifying bullying behaviors in themselves and others and feel both called to action to address this system wide culture problem affecting our profession and empowered with strategies to do so effectively.

Learner Outcomes: After this session, attendees will feel comfortable: 1. Identifying intellectual bullying behaviors in themselves and others 2. Feel called to action to address this system wide culture problem affecting our profession and 3. Become empowered with strategies to do so effectively.