THE EFFECTS OF WORKPLACE BULLYING ON PHYSICIANS IN ZAMBOANGA

CITY MEDICAL CENTER

IAN KRISTOPHER T. BAYAN

MASTERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
A. INTRODUCTION

Bullying among medical profession is not uncommon, predominantly among medical

students and residents. It is thought that this is in part of an outcome of traditional hierarchical

structures and teaching methods in the medical profession which may result in a bullying cycle.

Bullying has been defined inclusively by Lyons (1995) as “persistent, offensive,

abusive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behavior, abuse of power or unfair penal sanctions

which makes the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated or vulnerable which undermines

their self-confidence and which may cause them to suffer stress”. Bullying has a significant

effect on individuals in general and physicians in particular. Bullied doctors are reportedly least

satisfied with their job, take more sick time, and are more likely to decrease the number of hours

worked in the subsequent 12 months after being mistreated. They are also more likely to cease

direct patient care in the next 5 years Askew et. al (2012). Some bullying behaviors may be

motivated to challenge the doctor to become better, but the impact on recipients is likely to have

the opposite effects. However, bullying among senior-junior physicians may have negative

effects on patients. For example, a trainee who is being bullied by a senior is like going to avoid

seeking help or clarification from them to avoid being future incidents, which is understandable,

but can compromise the patient’s safety.

As a result of negative effects of bullying on the mental-health and well-being of the

resident physicians, their interpersonal relationships with seniors and their effects on patients,

the importance of knowing the prevalence of bullying among physicians is vital. In this regard,

this study aims to determine the prevalence of bullying and to contribute to the development

and implementation measures to prevent bullying in the health sector.

B. PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

For the past years, research has been conducted in many different countries and has

shown that bullying is a widespread problem. Recent number of countries have been focusing

on raising awareness and preventing this particular problem (Johnston et al 2010; Mistry and

Latoo 2009) in order to prevent the negative effects of it in the victim’s health as well as

performance in work and in the organization itself (Einarsen et al 2009; Johnson 2009)

A study conducted by Ekici et al. 2004, wherein the study sample consisted of 201

physicians and 309 nurses. The variables are demographical characteristics of the participants,

their perception of bullying, workload, the impact of bullying on work performance and their

depression status. Results showed that a large percentage of physicians (74%) and nurses (82%)

reported having experienced bullying in the workplace. No significant differences were found

between the physicians and nurses in terms of experienced workplace bullying. However, there

was an association between performance, depression and experienced violent behaviours.

A study conducted by the British Medical Association, 18-38% of the physicians and 27-

51% of the nurses reported bullying at their workplace (Johnston et al 2010; Yıldırım and

Yıldırım 2010; Hutchinson et al 2008; Hoosen and Callaghan 2004). Also 60-84% experienced

at least one or more bullying behaviours in their workplaces, and 69% reported having

witnessed their co-workers experiencing such behaviour (Yıldırım and Yıldırım 2007; Paice et

al 2004; Stebbing et al 2004; Quine 2002). Higher rates have been reported by non-European

physicians practicing in westernised countries where bullying is less likely to be addressed by

the country (Mistry and Latoo 2009; Hoosen and Callaghan 2004).
C. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to determine the prevalence and effects of bullying among resident

physicians in Zamboanga City Medical Center. The research questions were as follows:

1. What sort of bullying behavious are physicians subjected by their seniors/co-workers

at work?

2. Is the experienced bullying behavior correlated with age, education, the number of

years in service, and the number of years at current workplace?

3. Are there any effects of bullying on depression symptoms and work performance?

D. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study has the potential to contribute to the literature of bullying and increase

awareness among resident physicians in Zamboanga City Medical Center. A concerted,

collaborative effort is needed in curbing down prevalence and frequency of bullying in the

hospital. Furthermore, the results in this study may be used in the conduct of further research

on the subject.

E. RESEARCH DESIGN

This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study that will assess workplace bullying and its

effects on work performance and depression status of physicians in Zamboanga City Medical

Center.
F. WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY

Roger Lyons (1995) Bullying at work How to tackle it; a guide for MSF representatives and
members.

Askew D a., Schluter PJ, Dick ML, Ŕgo PM, Turner C, Wilkinson D. Bullying in the
Australian medical workforce: Cross-sectional data from an Australian e-Cohort study. Aust
Heal Rev. 2012;36(2):197–204.[PubMed]

Johnson, S.L. 2009. International perspectives on workplace bullying among nurses: a review.
International Nursing Review, 56:34–40.

Ekici, Dilek and Beder, Alper. The effects of workplace bullying on physicians and nurses
[online]. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, The, Vol. 31, No. 4, Jun/Jul/Aug 2014

Johnston, M., Phanhtharath, P. and Jackson, B. 2010 The Bullying Aspect of Workplace
Violence in Nursing. JONA’S Healthcare Law, Ethics, and Regulation, 12(2):36-42.

Yıldırım, A. and Yıldırım, D. 2007. Mobbing in nursing: mobbing experienced by nurses

working in health care facilities in Turkey and its effect on nurses. Journal of Clinical
Nursing, 16(8):1445-1453

Yıldırım, D. 2009. Bullying among Nurses and its Effects. International Nursing Review,
56:504-511

G. TIME FRAME

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