@article{ref1,
title="Bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment among intensive care unit nurses in Australia and New Zealand: an online survey",
journal="Australian critical care",
year="2022",
author="Parke, Rachael and Bates, Samantha and Carey, Melissa and Cavadino, Alana and Ferguson, Adele and Hammond, Naomi and Joyce, Fiona and Kirby, Steve and Moeke-Maxwell, Tess and Nona, Francis and Mason, Kathleen",
volume="ePub",
number="ePub",
pages="ePub-ePub",
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. <br><br>OBJECTIVE: We aimed to determine self-reported occurrences of bullying, discrimination, and sexual harassment amongst ICU nurses in Australia and New Zealand. <br><br>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. <br><br>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. <br><br>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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1036-7314",
doi="10.1016/j.aucc.2022.08.010",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.aucc.2022.08.010"
}