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.
Keywords
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Article Info
Publication History
Published online: October 06, 2022
Accepted:
August 15,
2022
Received in revised form:
August 14,
2022
Received:
May 29,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2022 Australian College of Critical Care Nurses Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
