Workplace mistreatment of Swedish health care professionals: prevalence and perpetrators across profession, sex, and birth country
Abstract Background This study explores the prevalence and co-occurrence of workplace mistreatment of nurses and physicians and their perpetrators. We explore the distribution of incivility and identity-based harassment (ethnicity-, gender-based, and/or sexual harassment), combined with sex and birt...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-025-12620-0 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Background This study explores the prevalence and co-occurrence of workplace mistreatment of nurses and physicians and their perpetrators. We explore the distribution of incivility and identity-based harassment (ethnicity-, gender-based, and/or sexual harassment), combined with sex and birth country in these two professional groups. Methods This cross-sectional study draws on survey data, including an analytical sample of 141,237 Swedish nurses and physicians in 2022. Results Incivility was the most prevalent mistreatment type, ranging from 28.2% among male physicians to 59.5% among nurses born outside Europe. Identity-based harassment ranged from 18.1% among male physicians to 57.8% among nurses born outside Europe. Incivility stemmed most commonly from internal perpetrators (co-workers), and harassment was more commonly experienced by patients or their relatives. Conclusions The mistreatment of healthcare professionals was widespread. Different types of mistreatment often co-occur, but prevalence varies substantially. The protective effect of professional status was dependent on social structures. |
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| ISSN: | 1472-6963 |