Citation

Stubbs B, Soundy A. Physiotherapy 2013; 99(2): 178-180.

Affiliation

University of Greenwich, London, UK. Electronic address: b.stubbs@greenwich.ac.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Chartered Society of Physiotherapy London)

DOI

10.1016/j.physio.2013.01.001

PMID

23433981

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To consider the prevalence and type of bullying behaviours experienced whilst on clinical placement in a cohort of final-year BSc undergraduate students. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey. SETTING: University in the West Midlands, UK. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two final-year undergraduate students. MAIN OUTCOME: Prevalence of incivility and bullying behaviours. RESULTS: Twenty-five percent of students reported at least one incident of bullying behaviour. The perpetrator of the bullying behaviour was most often the clinical educator (8/13, 62%). Despite the negative effects caused, the majority of students (11/13, 84%) did not report this experience to the university. CONCLUSION: Bullying behaviour may take many forms and can have a negative effect on the well-being of students. It should be addressed by all stakeholders including universities, National Health Service trusts and researchers. Possible strategies to move forwards and better protect the future of the physiotherapy profession are briefly considered.

Language: en