ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the importance of bullying in terms of its medical consequences and examines the issues that need to be considered when a general practitioner (GP) is asked to undertake a medical assessment or provide a medical report. The chapter also considers the nature of the GP’s role in supporting their patient while they deal with workplace bullying and the benefit of the GP becoming involved in addressing these problems with the organisation. The term ‘patient’ will be used throughout the chapter to describe an individual who is using the medical system and who is recognised, either to be unwell or to have a formal medical diagnosis. The term does not preclude such terms as ‘user’ or ‘person’ which can sometimes be more appropriate where the medical model does not have anything to offer in terms of solving a particular instance of bullying.
