Most colleagues receive complaints about unprofessional behavioral studies. A survey among over 35,000 doctors shows that surgeons extend the diagrams for reports of unprofessional behavior, while pediatricians come out as the least complained.
In a research work that was published in the Medical Journal at the end of last year, Jama1The researchers used an electronic system to pursue colleagues between 2018 and 2022. This study aimed to determine whether there is a connection between improper behavior and various clinical specialties.
Doctor Doctor gives me the news
Due to the type of work, we demand that doctors maintain a high degree of professionalism, compassion, integrity, trustworthiness and distinction2. The technical reporting on misconduct and legal suits in the world of medicine are not a novelty, and the investigation of possible errors is of crucial importance for developing and improved practice. When it comes to the behavior of the clinician, it has focused on interpersonal behavior in hospitals in historically less focus.
In this study, researchers of William Cooper opened a window on this hidden side of medical practice in the U.S. Professional Advocacy (CPPA) from the Department of Pediatrics at the University Medical Center of Vanderbilt.
Document the doctors
The team used the Co-Ko-Corker ArcEper (COR reporting system) to follow reports that doctors submitted about the professional behavior of their colleagues. The study comprised 35,120 doctors at 193 hospital and practice centers that were recorded in the CPPA program. These facilities routinely send electronic reports on inappropriate behavior. The identity of the doctors in the reports was removed and the concerns that were grouped according to medical specialty.
Out of over 35,000 doctors examined, only one of 11 from a colleague expressed concerns about their professional behavior. The surgeons made the list, with one of seven being characterized for unprofessional behavior. Non-surgeon procedures came next (1 to 8) and then an emergency doctor (1 to 10). Interestingly, medical staff reported the most problematic behavior of pediatricians. In the study, it was emphasized that the most common concerns of topics with respectful communication (e.g. a doctor who has received correction in an assistant or correction) arose, followed by doubts about professional integrity.
A surgical approach to unprofessional behavior
The investigation showed that surgeons and doctors who carry out procedures (procedural) have the most likely reports about them.
On the other hand, the research team, including pediatricians from Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Pediatrics department, Stanford University School of Medicine; The departments for emergency medicine and pediatrics, medical faculty of the University of Michigan and the Arkansas Children’s Hospital have found that pediatricians are least reported for bad behavior.
The authors of the study suggest that this can be attributed to the type of work. Surgeons and non-surgeon process parts work in the highest voltage environments. Imagine the operating room. A large team of healthcare workers is a high operational procedure without an error edge. People can be frustrated in these environments and emotions can run high.
These results could also shed light on the personal properties of doctors if they select specialties. According to the authors, the lack of reports on pediatricians with poor communication styles could indicate that people with calm and friendly nature are attracted more for working with children. This is contrast, as the researchers claim, on the stereotype of the surgeons as “type a” partlers, which focus more on surgical precision than on interpersonal exchange3.
Make diagnosis
Not only the results of the patients influence bad work relationships. Studies show a connection between unprofessional behavior and the well -being of the health service provider4. The Vanderbilt examination describes how the use of the COR report enabled them to identify a pattern of unprofessionalism in individuals and in medical disciplines.
The granularity of these reports shows that there are different cultures in specialties and that a one-sized approach for training on bed and communication will not be successful. The authors hope that recognizing problem areas can help companies better support employees and to offer better instructions.
If studies determine a documented cadence of unprofessionalism within a specialty or organization, it could be necessary to take a closer look at the organizational culture and its leadership. If these patterns are caught early, hospitals can reduce cases of misconduct, complications and complaints from patients4.
The right recipe?
Above all, it should be noted that more than 90% of doctors have not received a single report on unprofessional behavior in the study. If this reflects the situation in most health facilities, this is encouraging. However, the authors of the study recognize some of its limits. Examples that they give indicate that some clinicians make a report on a colleague for fear of retaliation. The reports were not examined further to determine whether complaints were confirmed. The classification of the behavior was based on login information, which may not match exactly what the doctor actually does in the health facility.
References
1. Cooper Wo, Hickson GB, Dmochowski RR, et al. Doctor differences in the unprofessional behaviors observed and reported by employees. Jama Netw Open. 2024; 7 (6): E2415331. DOI: 10.1001/Jamanetworkkopen.2024.15331
2. Khawar A, Frederiks F, Nasori M, et al. What are the characteristics of excellent doctors and residents at the clinical workplace? A systematic review. BMJ open. 2022; 12 (9): E065333. DOI: 10.1136/BMjopen-2022-065333
3 .. Wainwright D, Harris M, Wainwright E. The perception of the surgeon stereotype of doctors and its effects on professional identification: a qualitative study. BMC medical training. 2022; 22 (1): 702. Two: 10.1186/S12909-022-03765-1
4. Trockel J, Bohman B, Wang H, Cooper W, Welle D, Shanafelt TD. Evaluation of the relationship between the adverse effects of the work on the personal relationships of doctors and unwanted patient complaints. Mayo Clin Proc. 2022 SEP; 97 (9): 1680–1691. DOI: 10.1016/J.Mayocp.2022.03.005. PMID: 36058580.