Interventions to Address Clinical Incivility in Nursing: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Professionalism
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Clinical incivility negatively impacts nursing students, educators, and clinicians.
• Uncivil behaviors disrupt communication, teamwork, and patient safety.
• Existing interventions for clinical incivility show inconsistent effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and evaluate interventions addressing clinical incivility in nursing.
• To identify trends, gaps, and implications for future research and practice.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search (PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCOhost) from 2014-2024.
• PRISMA 2020 guidelines followed.
• Included 17 empirical studies evaluating interventions for nursing students, faculty, or practicing nurses.

Main Results:

• Five intervention types identified: educational modules, cognitive rehearsal, simulation/role-play, team-based strategies, and feedback/communication strategies.
• Fourteen studies reported positive outcomes (awareness, communication, self-efficacy).
• Eight studies showed significant reductions in perceived incivility, especially simulation-based, multi-session, or institutionally supported interventions.

Conclusions:

• Experiential and multi-component interventions are effective for reducing clinical incivility.
• Sustained success necessitates leadership engagement, institutional support, and integration into professional development.