P T. 2017 Feb; 42(2): 74-75, 77. PMCID: PMC5265230 Its Impact, Why It Arises and Persists, And How to Address It—Part 2  In our last column, we published the results of an Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) survey, which clearly exposed health care’s continued tolerance of and indifference to disrespectful behavior.1 Widespread disrespectful behavior in health care persists unchecked and is found at all levels of the organization and among all disciplines of staff. The stubborn strength of this problem lies in its quiet ability to undermine critical conversations.2 In Part 2, we delve into the impact of disrespectful behavior, why it arises and persists, and how to address it. Disrespectful behavior chills communication and collaboration, undercuts individual contributions to care, undermines staff morale, increases staff resignations and absenteeism, creates an unhealthy or hostile work environment, causes some to abandon their profession, and ultimately harms patients. These behaviors have been linked to adverse events, medical errors, compromises in patient safety, and even patient mortality.3,4 Disrespect causes the recipient to experience fear, anger, shame, confusion, uncertainty, isolation, self-doubt, depression, and a whole host of physical ailments, such as insomnia, fatigue, nausea, and hyper tension.5 These feelings diminish a person’s ability to think clearly, make sound judgments, and speak up regarding questions or concerns. Disrespectful behavior is also at the root of difficulties encountered in developing team-based approaches to improving care.5 Patient confidence has also been undermined by disrespectful behaviors, making patients less likely to ask questions or provide important information. Disrespectful behavior can arise in any health care setting, and both the stressful nature of the environment and human nature play roles in this destructive behavior. We are driven to function in “survival” mode when forced to cope with difficult personal frustrations and system failures. Disrespectful behavior is often “survival” behavior gone awry.2 Although personal frustrations and system failures do not excuse disrespectful behavior, they often create a tipping point by which an individual is pushed over the edge into full-blown disrespectful behavior. Characteristics of the individual, such as insecurity, anxiety, depression, aggressiveness, and narcissism, can also kick in and serve as a form of self-protection against feelings of inadequacy.5 Cultural, generational, and gender biases, and current events influencing mood, attitude, and actions, also contribute to disrespectful behavior.4 Differences in communication styles and power dynamics can also play a role.5,6 For example, physicians may get frustrated when nurses present information in more detail than they believe is necessary. Nurses may get frustrated when physicians do not seem interested in the information provided. These differences in communication styles can lead to disrespectful behavior. The hierarchical nature of health care and a sense of privilege and status can lead those at the top of a hierarchy to treat others lower on the hierarchy with disrespect. Health care organizations have fed the problem of disrespectful behavior for years by ignoring it, thereby tacitly accepting such behaviors.2 The health care culture has permitted a certain degree of disrespect while considering this a normal style of communication.5 Studies have shown that disrespectful behaviors are tolerated most often in unfavorable work environments, but it is unclear whether poor working conditions create an environment where the behaviors are tolerated or if the dis respectful behaviors create the unfavorable environment.7,8 Organizations have largely failed to address disrespectful behavior for a variety of reasons. First, the behavior typically occurs daily but often goes un reported due to fear of retaliation and the stigma associated with “whistle blowing.” Disrespectful behaviors are difficult to measure, so without robust systems of environmental scanning to uncover the behavior, leaders may be ignorant of the problem.9 Leaders may also be unaware of the behavior if managers shield them from this information because they view it as a personal failure.9 If disrespectful behaviors are known, leaders may be reluctant to confront individuals if they are powerful or high-revenue producers, or they may not know how to handle the problem. It’s not a topic taught in training programs, so leaders may hesitate to take on a problem for which there is no obvious solution.9 Establish a steering committee of trustees, senior leaders, middle managers, physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and other staff. Have the committee educate itself about disrespectful behavior, define the behavior, list examples of the many forms it can take, and establish an action plan that specifies how to identify disrespectful behavior, respond to it, and measure the success of organizational efforts. Responsibility for addressing the problem belongs to the leaders, who need to raise awareness of the problem, inspire others to change, communicate respect as a core value, articulate their commitment to achieving it, and create a sense of urgency around doing so. Establish a “no retribution” policy for those who report disrespectful behavior. This policy must be established at the very onset of organizational efforts to reduce disrespectful behaviors. Open the dialogue about disrespectful behavior by surveying staff about the issue using surveys from ISMP (www.ismp.org/survey/disrespectful) or the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (www.ismp.org/sc?id=343). Incorporate questions about disrespectful behavior in safety rounds. Hold focus groups where frank discussions can be held with objective facilitators to keep the conversation productive. However uncomfortable, dialogue on this issue is crucial to the development of more effective and respectful ways of interacting with each other. Create a code of conduct (or code of professionalism) that serves as a model of interdisciplinary collegial relationships (different but equal) and collaboration (mutual trust and respect that produces willing cooperation).10 Clearly articulate the standard of behavior desired as well as unacceptable behaviors—don’t assume staff know this, so be clear.9 Addressing disrespectful behavior must start with an absolute belief by all staff that no one deserves to be treated with disrespect. Furthermore, the code of conduct should not allow any exemptions. As long as those who generate the most revenue are excused from responsibility for their actions, the code of conduct will have little impact on anyone else’s behavior.11 Establish a standard, assertive communication process for health care staff who must convey important information. Stating the problem along with its rationale and a potential solution can improve assertive communication. Numerous communication techniques are available to help staff accomplish this, including:
An escalation policy must be established to manage conflicts about the safety of an order when the standard communication process fails to resolve an issue. Staff must know whom to call to aid in getting a satisfactory resolution. Be sure the process provides an avenue for resolution outside the typical chain of command in case the conflict involves a subordinate and his or her supervisor. Develop an intervention policy that has full leadership support to consistently address disrespectful behaviors. An effective policy includes zero tolerance for disrespectful behaviors regardless of the offender’s standing in the organization, fairness to all parties, consistency in enforcement, a tiered response to infractions, a restorative process to help people change their behavior, and surveillance mechanisms.12 Levels of interventions might start with coaching and proceed to progressive discipline as warranted. The intervention policy should clearly articulate the behaviors or repeated behaviors that will be referred for disciplinary action, and how and when the disciplinary process will start.13 The focus of an intervention should be on building trust and holding staff accountable for making better behavioral choices. The importance of a prompt, predictable, and appropriate response to an alleged violation cannot be overemphasized.10 In all cases, those who report or cooperate in the investigation should be protected against retaliation.12 The intervention policy should also require addressing any system issues that amplify and perpetuate the disrespectful behavior. Common system problems include issues that affect workloads, staffing, budgeting, education, communication, hand-offs, physical hazards, and environmental stressors. Individual behaviors can also be altered through system improvements.2 Provide mandatory hospital-wide education for all staff about the impact of disrespectful behavior and appropriate professional behavior as defined by the code of conduct.12,14 Provide skill-based training in communication methods, relationship building, business etiquette, behavioral techniques to confront and address disrespect, conflict resolution, assertiveness training, team training, and how to report disrespectful behaviors. Use role-playing, vignettes, or aggression scenarios to strengthen skills associated with assertive communication, conflict resolution, and interpersonal interactions. One health system provides leaders with a toolkit that includes talking points regarding the impact of disrespectful behavior, the code of conduct, definitions, surveys, communication/teamwork guides, key articles and intranet resources, “no retribution” policy, and a letter from the chief executive officer outlining full leadership support.9 Implement a confidential reporting/surveillance program for detecting disruptive behavior and measuring compliance with the code of conduct. A formal reporting program and an informal process for unwritten reports should be offered, and anyone who experiences or witnesses disruptive behavior should be encouraged to report the event.13 The “no retribution” policy for reporting should be well known to staff and upheld. Periodic updates should be provided to those who make reports about addressing disrespectful behaviors, but individual details should remain confidential. No organization should assume that the absence of reports of disrespectful behavior means it is not occurring. Other means of surveillance to identify disrespectful behaviors should be employed, including feedback from patients and families, staff and patient surveys, focus groups, informal dialogue, peer and team evaluations, and making direct inquiries at routine intervals (e.g., during safety rounds). Certain aspects of the workplace environment are key to combatting disrespect, including a fair and just culture, respectful management of serious adverse events, and transparency so staff members feel safe talking about disrespectful behavior without fear of reprisal.12 Another factor is visible leadership commitment to a respectful culture, which requires leading by example. Leaders should set the tone with an attitude of mutual respect for the contributions of all staff, remain open to questions and new ideas, and reward outstanding examples of collaborative teamwork, respectful communication, and positive interpersonal skills. Using key communication tools, such as email blasts, leaders can maintain an ongoing dialogue about respectful behaviors with the entire organization to help assure staff that leadership commitment to a respectful culture is not fleeting.2 1. Grissinger M. Unresolved disrespectful behavior in health care: practitioners speak up (again)—part 1. P T. 2017;42(1):4–5. 23. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 2. Zimmerman T, Amori G. The silent organizational pathology of insidious intimidation. J Healthc Risk Manag. 2011;30(3):5–6. 8–15. [PubMed] [Google Scholar] 3. Rosenstein AH, O’Daniel M. A survey of the impact of disruptive behaviors and communication defects on patient safety. 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What methods can the medical office assistant use to treat others with courtesy and respect?
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