Workforce Behaviour Miss Ruth Mason Consultant O&G Worthing Hospital Workforce Behaviour Champion for KSS

Is it a problem in O&G? Prevalence of Bullying: 20% staff reported having been bullied in last 6 months Associated outcomes: with lower levels of psychological health, job satisfaction and higher levels of intention to leave work Barriers to reporting: perception that nothing would change, seniority of bully, not wanting to be seen as a trouble maker, uncertainty over policies/management New contract

Why is it a problem in O&G? High empathy scores High stress environment Changes in working hours and patterns High work load Blame culture Acute nature of specialty The significant on-call commitments The perfectionist characteristics exhibited by many consultants The high risk of being involved in clinical incidents

What is it? Bullying: is behaviour that hurts or frightens someone who is less powerful, often forcing them to do something they do not want to do. Undermining: behaviour that subverts, weakens or wears away confidence.

Who does it? doctors(40%) midwives (40%) nurses (18%) admin and other (2%)

Why does it matter? Reduced quality of training Impact on physical and mental health Poor team working Ineffective individuals Reduced patient safety Increased cost due to absenteeism

RCOG / RCM https://www.rcog.org.uk/underminingtoolkit Joint taskforce (2013) Toolkit to provide advice (2014) Appointment of champions for each area https://www.rcog.org.uk/underminingtoolkit

What can you do? Use RCOG STRATOG modules Don’t walk past Contact your Champion Develop resilience Don’t do it yourselves

Resilience (noun) 1. the ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens. 2. the ability of something to return to its original shape after it has been pulled, stretched, pressed or bent.

Resilience https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FDyiUEn8Vw

Prolonged bradycardia What can’t wait? Cardiac arrest Shoulder dystocia Prolonged bradycardia

What can’t wait?

How you develop your own resilience 1.       Take breaks 2.       Compartmentalise – do what you need to do at the time (especially revision – stick to the timetable, don’t do emails, facebook etc) 3.       Step back (ten seconds for the next ten minutes) 4.       Be compassionate (to yourself, and others) 5.       Mindfulness – be in that moment not worrying about clinic the next day

Need Help?

Who can help? Colleagues Mentors Educational Supervisor College Tutor Workforce Behaviour Champion (me) TPD HoS RCOG GMC

Where to find help https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/careers-training/workplace-workforce-issues/improving-workplace-behaviours-dealing-with-undermining/ https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/careers-training/workplace-workforce-issues/support-for-doctors-in-difficulty/ http://www.gmc-uk.org/concerns/11551.asp