A survey has revealed that while medical trainees rate the quality of their training highly, unacceptable workplace behaviours remain unchanged.1

The 7th annual Medical Training Survey, an initiative of the Medical Board of Australia, provides longitudinal insight into the medical training experience across Australia.

Results show 89% of trainees rated their clinical supervision as good or excellent, while 86% gave the same rating to teaching and education sessions. Improvements were noted across clinical supervision, orientation and teaching, with 83% of trainees recommending their training position and workplace.

However, the rate of bullying, discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), and racism remained stubbornly unchanged at an average of 30%. The survey also revealed a concerning shift in the source of unacceptable behaviour. Trainees were less likely to nominate senior medical staff as perpetrators and more likely to cite patients, their families and carers. In 2025, both groups were nominated by 46% of trainees.

“It seems the deficits in the culture of medicine reported by trainees are firmly anchored to wider community attitudes and behaviours,” Medical Board of Australia Chair Dr Susan O’Dwyer said.

The findings indicate that while medical colleges and training providers have made progress in addressing workplace culture amongst staff, broader societal attitudes continue to impact the training environment.

The full survey results are available at medicaltrainingsurvey.gov.au, providing stakeholders with data to shape their choice of training sites and specialties, and inform improvements to the training experience.