Workplace bullying among junior doctors in Malaysia: A multicentre cross-sectional study

Samsudin, Ely Zarina and Isahak, Marzuki and Rampal, Sanjay and Ismail, Rosnah and Zakaria, Mohd Idzwan (2021) Workplace bullying among junior doctors in Malaysia: A multicentre cross-sectional study. Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, 28 (2). pp. 142-156. ISSN 1394-195X, DOI https://doi.org/10.21315/mjms2021.28.2.13.

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Abstract

Background: Research suggests that junior doctors often experience workplace bullying, which may have adverse impacts on medical training and delivery of quality healthcare. However, evidence among local population has not been established. The present study aims to examine the prevalence of workplace bullying among Malaysian junior doctors and explore its associated sociodemographic and employment factors. Methods: A multicentre cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 government hospitals accredited for housemanship training within the central zone of Malaysia. The study included a total of 1,074 house officers who had been working for at least 6 months in various housemanship rotations. The Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised (NAQ-R) was used to examine workplace bullying. Results: The 6-month prevalence of workplace bullying among study participants was 13%. Work-related bullying such as `being ordered to do work below your level of competence', person-related bullying such as `being humiliated or ridiculed in connection with your work', and physically intimidating bullying such as `being shouted at or being the target of spontaneous anger' were commonly reported by study participants. Medical officers were reported to be the commonest perpetrators of negative actions at the workplace. Study participants who graduated from Eastern European medical schools (adjusted odds ratio AOR] 2.27; 95% confidence interval CI]: 1.27, 4.07) and worked in surgical-based rotation (AOR 1.83; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.97) had higher odds of bullying compared to those who graduated from local medical schools and worked in medical-based rotation, whereas study participants with good English proficiency (AOR 0.14; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.94) had lower odds of bullying compared to those with poor English proficiency. Conclusion: The present study shows that workplace bullying is prevalent among Malaysian junior doctors. Considering the gravity of its consequences, impactful strategies should be developed and implemented promptly in order to tackle this serious occupational hazard.

Item Type: Article
Funders: UNSPECIFIED
Uncontrolled Keywords: Workplace bullying; Junior doctors; Prevalence; Associated factors; Occupational Safety and Health; Psychosocial hazard
Subjects: R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine > Medicine Department
Depositing User: Ms Zaharah Ramly
Date Deposited: 02 Sep 2022 00:30
Last Modified: 02 Sep 2022 00:30
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/35191

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