Bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment among intensive care unit nurses in Australia and New Zealand: An online survey
Article
Article Title | Bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment among intensive care unit nurses in Australia and New Zealand: An online survey |
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ERA Journal ID | 14054 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Parke, Rachael (Author), Bates, Samantha (Author), Carey, Melissa (Author), Cavadino, Alana (Author), Ferguson, Adele (Author), Hammond, Naomi (Author), Joyce, Fiona (Author), Kirby, Steve (Author), Moeke-Maxwell, Tess (Author), Nona, Francis (Author) and Mason, Kathleen (Author) |
Journal Title | Australian Critical Care |
Journal Citation | 36 (1), pp. 10-18 |
Number of Pages | 9 |
Year | 2023 |
Place of Publication | United States |
ISSN | 1036-7314 |
1878-1721 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2022.08.010 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1036731422001205 |
Abstract | Background: Bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment are significant problems within healthcare organisations but are often under-reported. Consequences of these behaviours within a healthcare setting are wide ranging, affecting workplace environments, personal well-being, and patient care and leading to increased staff turnover and quality of patient care and outcomes. Whilst there has been some work undertaken in the general nursing workforce, there is a dearth of evidence regarding the extent and impact of these behaviours on the nursing workforce in intensive care units (ICUs) in Australia and New Zealand. Objective: We aimed to determine self-reported occurrences of bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment amongst ICU nurses in Australia and New Zealand. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, online survey of ICU nurses in Australia and New Zealand was undertaken in Maye/June 2021, distributed through formal colleges, societies, and social media. Questions included demographics and three separate sections addressing bullying, sexual harassment, and discrimination. Results: In 679 survey responses, the overall reported occurrences of bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment in the last 12 months were 57.1%, 32.6%, and 1.9%, respectively. Perpetrators of bullying were predominantly nurses (59.6%, with 57.9% being ICU nurses); perpetrators of discrimination were nurses (51.7%, with 49.3% being ICU nurses); and perpetrators of sexual harassment were patients (34.6%). Respondents most commonly (66%) did not report these behaviours as they did not feel confident that the issue would be resolved or addressed. Conclusions: Determining the true extent of bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment behaviours within the ICU nursing community in Australia and New Zealand is difficult; however, it is clear a problem exists. These behaviours require recognition, reporting, and an effective resolution, rather than normalisation within healthcare professions and workplace settings in order to support and retain ICU nursing staff. |
Keywords | Bullying, Discrimination, Sexual harassment, Nurses, Online survey, Critical Care |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 420311. Health systems |
500107. Professional ethics | |
450415. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nursing | |
420501. Acute care | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | University of Auckland, New Zealand |
Department of Health, Victoria | |
School of Nursing and Midwifery | |
Tauranga Hospital, New Zealand | |
University of New South Wales | |
Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand | |
Middlemore Hospital, New Zealand | |
University of Queensland | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q7v93/bullying-discrimination-and-sexual-harassment-among-intensive-care-unit-nurses-in-australia-and-new-zealand-an-online-survey
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