Bullying in the New Zealand general practitioner workforce

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: In recent years, there has been growing acknowledgment of problematic unprofessional behaviours such as bullying in the health workforce. AIM: The purpose of this research is to investigate how bullying manifests in general practice, responses to bullying and the impact of this behaviour. METHODS: Qualitative research using semi-structured interviews or focus groups was conducted. Twenty-four doctors working in the scope of general practice in New Zealand participated: 21 by interview and three by focus group. Participants had been accused of bullying or subject to bullying. RESULTS: Results are reported in three categories: people who have experienced being bullied, people accused of bullying, and the cycle of bullying. Participants experienced a range of negative behaviours and had varied responses to bullying, yet the impact of the behaviour was the same. There was considerable overlap in experiences of participants experiencing and accused of bullying, and these categories were not static. DISCUSSION: Bullying has a substantial negative impact on the general practice workforce. Responses to bullying often fail to consider the complexities of the behaviour and are premised on simple notions of bully and victim, failing to consider the wider work environment.