By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Taking a Fresh Look at Disruptive Physician Conduct
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health Reform > Taking a Fresh Look at Disruptive Physician Conduct
BusinessHealth ReformHospital AdministrationMedical EducationMedical EthicsNewsPolicy & LawPublic Health

Taking a Fresh Look at Disruptive Physician Conduct

Ken Cohn
Ken Cohn
Share
4 Min Read
Evaluating Doctor Conduct
SHARE

Evaluating Doctor Conduct

Contents
  • Methodology
  • Recommendations

The reason that I entitled this post “A Fresh Look at Disruptive Physician Conduct” is that I was pleased that it had been selected for presentation at a major surgical meeting. For too long, this subject has been swept under the rug. I am glad that it is being discussed by people who can recognize it and improve the environment for change.

Evaluating Doctor Conduct

The reason that I entitled this post “A Fresh Look at Disruptive Physician Conduct” is that I was pleased that it had been selected for presentation at a major surgical meeting. For too long, this subject has been swept under the rug. I am glad that it is being discussed by people who can recognize it and improve the environment for change.

More Read

How To Build A Successful Drug And Alcohol Residential Rehab Program
Partnering to Improve Quality and Safety: A Framework for Working with Patient and Family Advisors
Steady as She Goes or Down With the Ship, a Parable for Healthcare
Medicare Vs. Private Health Insurance In Australia: A Simple Comparison
Top Tips For A More Eco-Friendly Healthcare Facility

Methodology

A surgeon and a PhD colleague asked 19 Operating Room (OR) staff members two questions:

  • Can you tell me about a time when you saw a surgeon demonstrate disruptive behavior? (defined as conduct that negatively affects patient care or has the potential to affect patient care negtively. Cochran A, Elder B. J Am CollSurg 2014:290:390-398)
  • Please explain why you believe the surgeon behaved in this way.

Their interviews of anesthesiologists, nurses, medical students, and OR technologists led to the postulation of three major factors that led to disruptive behavior by surgeons:

  • Personality factors: surgery may attract perfectionistic people who thrive in the face of constant challenge and lack of positive reinforcement
  • Culture: medical students and residents who are treated in a disrespectful fashion by attending surgeons behave the same way once they become attendings because they learn no other way of behaving and see that such behavior is rarely challenged due to the attending surgeons’ perceived power and because of the revenue that these surgeons bring in
  • Situational stressors: When something goes wrong, it may challenge a surgeon and trigger feelings of inadequacy and shame that manifest as anger and blame. Not having the same people in the OR may also trigger anger and fear that something may go wrong

Recommendations

The authors cite multiple references that disruptive behavior imperils patient safety, increases the cost of care, and increases staff turnover. They cite:

  • The need for interprofessional education events, especially for novices in the process of learning to navigate a challenging environment
  • Remediation of behavior that results in verbal hostility, as practiced at Vanderbilt’s Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy and at the University of Miami’s Pulse Program
  • Conflict management training for everyone who works in an OR setting

Turning a blind eye to tantrums, threats, and intimidation is inimical to change. The goal is to improve patient safety through reforms at the individual and system level that enhance dialogue and mutual respect and create a safe environment for learning.

As always, I welcome your input to improve healthcare collaboration where you work.  Please send me your comments and suggestions for improvement.

Kenneth H. Cohn © 2014, all rights reserved

Disclosure: I have not received any compensation for writing this content.  I have no material connection to the brands, topics and/or products that are mentioned herein.

© Healthcare Collaboration. All Rights Reserved.

Photo Credit: Doctors and Conduct/shutterstock

TAGGED:Best Practicescase studyconductphysician conduct
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Nurse Scheduling Software
Evaluating 7 Best Nurse Scheduling Software
Nursing Technology
October 28, 2025
contamination
Batch Failures And The Hidden Costs Of Contamination
Health Infographics
October 21, 2025
Medication Management For Seniors
Simplifying Medication Management For Seniors
Infographics Senior Care
October 21, 2025
Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025

You Might also Like

A Double Whammy for Smokers: An ObamaCare Tax

January 26, 2013
CareerMedical Education

5 Things Every Trainee GP Should Know

August 27, 2019
hand touching medical interface
DiagnosticsHealth ReformTechnology

Why do we need a new operating system for effective shared care plans?

March 1, 2016

Online Messaging Can Improve Support Group Relationships

October 1, 2014
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?