The Prevalence and Outcome of Disruptive Behaviors in Nurses and Physicians: A Descriptive Study in Iranian Health Care Context

Abstract

Background: Disruptive behavior is any inappropriate behavior, verbal-physical abuse, and threats that a therapist performs unprofessionally that leads to a significant negative impact on clinical outcomes of patient care and staff collaboration. Objectives: This study was done to investigate the prevalence of disruptive behavior among nurses and physicians and its effects on the health care context. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 248 medical staff in teaching medical centers affiliated with the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences participated. Data were collected employing a questionnaire with convenience sampling and analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics. Results: Data revealed that 85.5 of the participants had experience disruptive behaviors from nurses and physicians. Also, 74 participants stated that the highest prevalence of disruptive behaviors by nurses and physicians were observed weekly, and 87 believed that these behaviors negatively influenced the treatment process. The probability of emerging problems, dangerous events, medical errors, the impaired patients' safety, and a decrease in treatment quality sometimes occurs, though it often leads to dissatisfaction of the physician, nurse, and patient. In addition, 71 of the participants stated that there is no behavioral statute, and 89.1 believed that even if such a statute exists, there is no executive support. Conclusions: Due to the negative effects of disruptive behaviors and the prevalence of such behaviors among physicians and nurses, it is recommended to have a statute and management system that guarantees its implementation and train all the staff.