Bullying in Hospitals

Healthcare is institutionally prone to bullying. It's internal hierarchy and well-educated staff tacitly encourage the power-hungry to mistreat and abuse competent, patient-focused employees.

A survey conducted by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices found that 61% of respondents said their organization dealt ineffectively with intimidators and 93% reported a medication error attributable to a professional's intimidating behavior.

Research by the American College of Physician Executives reported that 38.9% of high revenue generating physicians seem to bully with impunity. Melodramatic screaming tirades and physical threats, as well as the covert, more easily disguised, destructive actions, such as failing to cooperate with others when necessary or abusing positions of authority, are all tactics that intimidators employ. Everyone's afraid of confronting the powerful, threatening individual.

A common misconception is that employees are already protected.

Existing Disruptive Physician policies are not effective. The problem is that fear of retaliation leads to serious under-reporting and accusations of employer negligence. Anti-harassment policies, compliant with state and federal laws, do little good unless the alleged offender is not a member of a protected status group. Sexual harassment and racial discrimination rarely apply in situations of status-blind cruelty. Organizational Value Statements declaring "Respect for all individuals" ring hollow without the power of enforcement.

Our Workplace Bullying for Hospitals Project fills in where other policies fail. We can help you protect employees and patients throughout the hospital, and ensure a respectful, healthy work environment.