Objectives To describe the changes in 12 months prevalence of subjection to bullying at work for doctors in different job categories and medical disciplines from 1993 to 2014, and to find work and health-related factors associated with being subjected to workplace bullying for doctors in 2014.

Methods Nationwide postal surveys in Norway based on representative samples of 2628 doctors (72.8%) in 1993, 1004 (67%) in 2004 and 1261 (78.2%) in 2014. Main outcome measure was self-reported frequency of subjection to bullying at work from colleagues or supervisors within the last year. Response categories ranged from 1 (no) to 5 (daily or almost daily). Being subjected to bullying at work was defined as any answers above 1.

Results No significant differences were found in prevalence of subjection to workplace bullying in 1993 (5.7%, 95% CI 4.8–6.6), 2004 (7.3%, 5.4–9.2) and 2014 (7.0%, 4.5–8.5). Within job categories, the prevalence of being bullied were higher for senior hospital consultants and doctors in hospital management position than for specialty registrars, GPs and private practice specialists. Within medical disciplines, surgeons reported higher prevalence. In 2014, being bullied was significantly associated with females (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.29–0.85), lower levels of job satisfaction (0.92, 0.90–0.94) and self-rated health (average or poor OR 2.3, 1.2–4.3; good 3.5, 1.5–8.2; very good OR 1), controlled for age and sickness absence.

Conclusions Subjection to workplace bullying remained at stable high level for doctors in Norway over a 20 year period. The findings underline the need for bullying prevention among Norwegian doctors.