Workplace Bullying in Healthcare Organisations: A Scoping Review of the Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses on Workplace Bullying of Healthcare Workers

ABSTRACT

Aims

There is an increased focus on healthcare workers' bullying due to various individual, organisational, and social factors that may elevate the risk of bullying among healthcare employees. This scoping review aims to identify knowledge gaps regarding the theorising of bullying and the prevention and management of bullying in healthcare settings.

Design

A scoping review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses was conducted using PRISMA guidelines.

Data Sources

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (N = 18) involving healthcare workers (i.e., doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals) were identified through a vigorous search of ProQuest Central, PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, Scopus, PsycINFO (PsycNet), and Web of Science databases.

Review Methods

The included reviews were explored to identify theoretical explanations of bullying and strategies for bullying prevention and management. Thematic analysis was applied to synthesise findings.

Results

The results indicated that workplace culture, hierarchy within healthcare organisations, inactive institutional power, and conflict are key theoretical constructs that may explain bullying among healthcare workers. Further, a comprehensive approach of individual and organisational-level factors, involving organisational policies and procedures, creating awareness to promote effective reporting of bullying, and the role of leaders and managers, was identified as critical for preventing and managing bullying.

Conclusion

The scoping review emphasises the need for integrating theoretical frameworks that consider both individual and systemic aspects of bullying in healthcare organisations. Addressing these aspects can improve the effectiveness of strategies for bullying prevention and management.

Impact

Understanding the theoretical approaches to explain bullying of healthcare employees can provide a concrete foundation for targeted interventions and organisational policies that address bullying at multiple levels, therefore improving healthcare workers' wellbeing and workplace culture.

Patient or Public Contribution

No direct patient or public contribution was related to the scoping review.