Bad behavior in healthcare: an insidious threat to patients, staff, and organizations

Abstract

Purpose of review: 'Bad' or unprofessional behavior (UPB) destroys communication, teamwork, and professional wellbeing, presenting a significant threat to patients and staff. Understanding what constitutes 'bad' or UPB and creating broad accountability for its cessation is imperative to patient-centered care and the survival of the multidisciplinary health workforce.

Recent findings: Despite organizational and legislative commitments to provide well tolerated work environments, UPB is endemic in healthcare and continues to harm patients, staff, and organizations. Historically, categories of UPB have been researched separately which dilutes the problem. Typically, these behaviors cluster, are interchangeable, and are committed by same perpetrators. Women, junior staff, and minority groups remain the most prevalent targets. Even low intensity UPBs among health staff dramatically impacts risk to patient lives, limits quality care, and destroys staff wellbeing. Targeted interventions must address all five roles impacted by UPBs: the target, patients, bystanders, the perpetrator, and the organization to effectively eliminate UPBs. Organizational leaders must demonstrate and uphold organizational values and be swift in addressing UPB to limit the impact on teams and patients.

Summary: UPB in the healthcare setting presents a multifactorial threat to patients, staff, and organizations. To ensure the delivery of high-quality patient care, and the wellbeing of the health workforce it is crucial to understand the insidious impact of UPB and target interventions across all five roles.