from Leadership Medica n. 3/2000

To the so many known pathologies it must be added the “Mobbing”. The term 'Mobbing' comes from 'to mob' (to attack, to assault) employed by ethologists to point out exactly the aggressive behaviours toward individuals by a group.
Surveys have been carried out at the occupational psychology centres. From data outcoming it has been acknowledged, in the subjects undergoing a Mobbing, the rise of physical and psychological disturbs, often very serious and hard to identify.
The fast notoriety and interest raised by Mobbing are due in part to the current social environment, highly competitive and devoid of ethical and deontological values as regard to a civil coexistence, and in part for the destructive effects prevailing in individuals and inside families.
Keeping within the medicine field, we report a sensational case, a copybook case, of a well-known cardio surgeon of worldwide renown. Back to Italy after a long stay abroad, and having not accepted the logics of certain behaviours (that we will euphemistically define as incorrect) he underwent a set of harassments introduced in the questionnaire for the analysis and the diagnosis of the Mobbing, as: obstructionism, seclusion, defamation etc., till dismissal.
Last days the court's statement gave wide acknowledgment to the professional, reinstating him in his consultant's office, charge he held when dismissed.
Naturally the judicial procedure does not end, since in the motivations adduced by the management for the dismissal it remains very serious public action crimes.
About this case, really disgraceful, the order of physicians will interest to, since it cannot ignore so serious cases.
Over time we have planted the problem that it lacks in the order, especially as regard to the members' professional ethics rules, that it must be applied not only toward patients but also toward colleagues and in the working range. 
Ignored Mobbing cases are several inside wards; this regard Minister Bindi preferred to skirt the issue, it can be throw suspicion on her of Mobbing toward medical class, you never can tell! The data of the matter are there; it would be an interesting Mobbing case - not a group against an individual, but an individual against everybody.
What a performance!
(traduzione Interpres sas-Giussano)