Citation

Parke R, Bates S, Carey M, Cavadino A, Ferguson A, Hammond N, Joyce F, Kirby S, Moeke-Maxwell T, Nona F, Mason K. Aust. Crit. Care 2022; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, Confederation of Australian Critical Care Nurses, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.aucc.2022.08.010

PMID

36210282

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 May-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.

Language: en

Keywords

Nurses; Bullying; Discrimination; Sexual harassment; Critical care; Online survey