Physicians Abusing Nurses - a Link to the Shortage

As most of the country knows, we are in desperate need of nurses. Many understand that a reason for this is our aging population needing health care. Other reasons include colleges not meeting the faculty demands of enrolled students, current nurses retiring, and job burnout.

There is yet another reason to add to this list: Physicians.

The Secret

A secret kept among the medical community is out. Disruptive physician behavior is driving nurses away from the profession.

Disruptive physician behavior refers to "any inappropriate behavior, confrontation or conflict, including verbal abuse to physical and sexual harassment."

According to a study by healthcare alliance VHA Inc., 30 percent of nurses knew at least one nurse who resigned because of physician behavior. This problem is finally getting attention of hospital executives.

Involving 1,200 responses from medical personnel, 92 percent had witnessed disruptive physician behavior. The vast majority of the abuse from physicians included yelling and condescending behavior. A former practicing nurse said this behavior is quite common because physicians view themselves as leaders and think others should be able to deal with it.

Insults towards nurses included being told to give up seats for doctors, yelled at for not putting a dressing on to the doctor's liking and being hung up on when trying to give doctors patient information.

There were differences between physicians' and nurses' perceptions of what was considered abuse and what was not. Many physicians do not believe their tirades are a big deal. They believe outbursts are necessary facing urgent situations. Focusing on speed and need rather than people skills are many excuses.

Nurses had to develop a type of defense to help each other. By announcing "Code White Coat" over the hospital intercom, nurses hearing the code find and stand by the nurse under attack and stare the doctor down, making it clear there are witnesses.

With nurses and witnesses in tow, hospital executives are still reluctant to discipline unruly doctors. These physicians bring patients to the hospital and patients are a major source of revenue.

Patients Suffer

If there is a breakdown of the physician-nurse relationship, the result is the sufferance of the patient. Nursing shortages are associated with higher rates of internal bleeding, infections and a higher risk of death.

Addressing the Shortage

Many states are encouraging current nurses to earn graduate degrees to teach the next generation of nurses.

Colleges are also seeking private support to help expand student capacity and strengthen the nursing workforce.

Nurses for a Healthier Tomorrow, a coalition of 44 nursing and health care organizations, are working together to raise interest in nursing careers among middle and high school students.

Campaign for Nursing's Future, launched by Johnson & Johnson, is a multimedia initiative to promote careers in nursing that includes paid television commercials, recruitment video, Web site, brochures and other visuals.

With 85 percent of hospitals reporting shortages, this workforce shortage is unlike any before it. Hospitals must address the problems current nurses have to employ and retain future nurses. This is a long-term crisis.

Resources:

http://www.nursingpower.net/abuse/verbal_abuse_docs.html