More than half of South Australia's junior doctors working in the state's three teaching hospitals have experienced bullying and harassment, a survey has found.
The Australian Medical Association says 239 doctors participated in the survey with consultant-level specialists most often identified as the perpetrators of the poor treatment.
The survey also found that a majority of doctors expressed concerns about their personal safety due to fatigue, and 60 per cent reported concerns about patient safety and errors, also because of fatigue.
"Bullying damages doctors, workplaces and, most importantly, patient care," AMA state president Chris Moy said on Tuesday.
"There has been compelling evidence over many years that doctors, and particularly junior doctors, are frequent victims of bullying by their employers, by superiors, by colleagues and other practitioners."
Dr Moy said the survey had lifted the lid on the "shameful and appalling" treatment of junior doctors and showed that bullying was "rife" in SA hospitals.
To respond to the issue, the AMA will hold a culture and bullying summit in February to "draw and line in the sand" on bullying.
Australian Associated Press