Mistreatment Experiences, Protective Workplace Systems, and Occupational Distress in Physicians
Susannah G Rowe1,2, Miriam T Stewart3, Sam Van Horne4
1Office of Equity, Vitality and Inclusion, Boston University Medical Group, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
JAMA Network Open
|May 6, 2022
Summary
Physician mistreatment is common, especially for women, and linked to burnout and intent to leave. Healthcare organizations must address workplace mistreatment to improve physician well-being.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Occupational health
- Physician well-being
Background:
- Physician occupational distress is a growing concern.
- Understanding workplace mistreatment is crucial for physician well-being.
- Mistreatment's impact varies across diverse physician identities.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess mistreatment prevalence and sources among physicians.
- Examine associations between mistreatment and occupational well-being.
- Investigate the role of protective workplace systems.
Main Methods:
- Survey study conducted at a large academic medical center.
- Utilized the Professional Fulfillment Index and Mistreatment, Protection, and Respect Measure (MPR).
- Statistical analysis of data from 1505 physician respondents.
Main Results:
- 23.4% of physicians reported mistreatment in the past year, primarily from patients/visitors.
- Women experienced mistreatment more than twice as often as men.
- Mistreatment significantly increased burnout, decreased professional fulfillment, and raised intent to leave.
Conclusions:
- Workplace mistreatment is prevalent among physicians and linked to negative occupational outcomes.
- Patients and visitors are the most common source of mistreatment.
- Perceptions of strong protective systems correlate with better physician well-being, highlighting the need for organizational intervention.
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