Health professionals exposure to mobbing in a medical school hospital

Abstract

Aim: This study was conducted to reveal the perceptions of the residents and nurses working in their workplace. Material and Methods: This study is a cross-sectional descriptive study. The study was carried out between October 2014 and January 2016. The study population consisted of the residents and nurses working in Manisa Celal Bayar University, Hafsa Sultan Hospital. The study sample included 110 people. The survey was performed using a questionnaire consisting of an Information Form and the Work Harassment Scale. Results: The employees’ mean age was 29.92±5.47; 73.6% of them were female and 59.1% married; 46.4% had bachelor’s degree; 61.8% had balanced income and expenses; 32.7% were residents and 60.9% nurses/midwives; and 26.4% were victims of mobbing. Some 13.6% of those who were subject to mobbing stated that they were exposed to mobbing for 6 to 11 months. Approximately 42.7% of the health professionals stated that they witnessed others being subject to mobbing. Some 24.5% of the health professionals expressed their need for psychological support. Conclusion: The study showed that those with high level of education, those in the younger adult group (22-30 years of age) and those who needed psychological support were at a higher risk of being exposed to mobbing, the difference being statistically significant (p<0.05). To reduce the level of mobbing and provide quality healthcare services in hospitals, arrangements should be made to increase the number of nurses/midwives and doctors at work, and to educate employees on subjects related to communication and mobbing by psychiatric nurses.