Evaluating anti-bullying training in surgery: surgeons’ perceptions from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand

Paul Gretton-Watson; Jodi Oakman; Sandra G. Leggat

doi:10.1071/AH24104

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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Evaluating anti-bullying training in surgery: surgeons’ perceptions from Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand

Paul Gretton-Watson ^A ^* , Jodi Oakman ^B and Sandra G. Leggat ^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic 3086, Australia.

^B Safety and Health, Centre for Ergonomics and Human Factors, School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic 3086, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: 82041187@students.latrobe.edu.au

Australian Health Review 48(5) 576-584 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH24104

Submitted: 5 August 2023 Accepted: 2 August 2024 Published: 26 August 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-ND)

Abstract

Objective

To evaluate how surgeons in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand perceive the effectiveness of the Operating with Respect (OWR) face-to-face training program in reducing workplace bullying.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey examined the perceived effectiveness of the Royal College of Surgeons’ (RACS) face-to-face OWR training and complementary interventions in reducing workplace bullying in surgical settings. The sample included supervisory surgeons, RACS committee members, and targeted educators. The survey instrument had 35 questions, including five related to the research question. In December 2020, the survey was distributed by RACS to all surgeons who undertook OWR training between April 2017 and December 2019. Likert scales and coded free text responses were used to explore the effectiveness of face-to-face OWR training and other interventions included in the 2015 RACS Action Plan.

Results

Of the 756 surveys sent, 252 were received. The face-to-face OWR training program was rated as moderately effective. RACS’s overarching approach to anti-bullying was almost equally important, highlighting the need to consider a broader ecosystem of reform.

Conclusions

This study finds the RACS full-day anti-bullying training moderately effective in reducing bullying in surgical workplaces. However, enhancing its impact requires a sustained, multi-faceted strategy, including broader policy reforms, accountability measures, and cultural changes, to foster a long-term respectful environment in surgical settings.

Keywords: anti-bullying, bullying, disrespectful behaviour, organisational culture, surgeons, surgery, surgical workplaces, training, training programs, workplace bullying, workplace culture.

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