Angry Physicians Impact Care

Kaiser Health Plan reports on a long-festering problem that many hospitals have been reluctant to address: disruptive and often angry behavior by doctors. Experts estimate that 3 to 5 percent of physicians engage in such behavior, berating nurses who call them in the middle of the night about a patient, flinging scalpels at trainees who aren’t moving fast enough, demeaning co-workers they consider incompetent or cutting off patients who ask a lot of questions. Experts say that doctors’ bad behavior is not merely unpleasant; it also has a corrosive effect on morale and poses a significant threat to patient safety. To be fair to physicians, bad behavior is not limited to them.  Administrators, nurses, and others can also subject co-workers and subordinates to what could only be termed as work-place bullying.  Physicians, however, impact patient care in ways that others do not.  When those caring for a patient hesitate to call a physician about care concerns for fear of being subjected to a wrathful outburst, hospital and medical staff leadership must act. Read:  Hospitals Crack Down on Tirades by Angry Doctors  
Source: MSSPNexus Blog - Category: Health Managers Authors: Tags: Career General Patient Safety Professional Staff Admin Risk Management disruptive behavior workplace bullying Source Type: blogs