How the Medical Culture Contributes to Coworker-Perpetrated Harassment and Abuse of Family Physicians

The Article in Brief

How the Medical Culture Contributes to Coworker-Perpetrated Harassment and Abuse of Family Physicians

Baukje Miedema , and colleagues

Background Physicians experience many forms of harassment and abuse, including verbal abuse, intimidation, sexual harassment, stalking, and assault, from patients and colleagues. This study aims to to document the prevalence, rates, and impact of abuse in the workplace of family physicians in Canada.

What This Study Found The current medical culture appears to contribute to harassment and abuse in the workplace of family physicians in Canada. Based on interviews with 23 female and 14 male practicing family physicians in Canada, the study finds four ways in which the medical culture intentionally or unintentionally contributes to the facilitation and perpetuation of abuse in the workplace of family physicians: (1) modeling of abusive behaviors, (2) status hierarchy within the medical community,( 3) shortage of physicians, and (4) lack of transparent policies and follow-up procedures after abusive encounters. The authors discuss these findings using the criminology-based broken window theory, which asserts when lesser criminal acts, such as broken windows, are tolerated, more vandalism and other types of crime will eventually occur in the community.

Implications

• Effective elimination of abuse must start from efforts that begin on the first day of medical school and continue through residency training and into clinical practices.