Short Guide on Physician’s Disruptive Behavior

When using improper words, actions or inactions with a doctor interferes with their capacity to operate well with other people to the extent the behavior interferes or is very likely to interfere with the quality healthcare delivery. The gravity of tumultuous behavior is contingent upon the character of the behavior, the context in which it appears, and the consequences flowing from it.

How common is tumultuous behavior by physicians?

Clinical leaders, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists normally experience tumultuous behavior. Most concur that this entails less than 5 percent of the medical workforce.

How can organizations respond?

Most medical leaders and employees don’t believe their organizations cope effectively with disruptive behavior and several reports a perception that physicians, particularly those with a high significance to the business, are treated more leniently than other employees. Organizations have taken several steps in eliminating disruptive physician behavior from the workplace.

80% considered that issues with physicians were under-reported or just reported if a critical breach had occurred. 61% believed that their organizations didn’t deal effectively with disruptive behavior and 30% didn’t feel their supervisor would encourage them when they reported an incident.

Some behaviors contribute directly to medical mistakes. Pharmacists and physicians have reported reluctance to describe security issues with a few physicians due to behavior and a few have identified particular security incidents that have arisen consequently.