Mistreatment in paediatric residency programs in Thailand: a national survey
Issued Date
2023-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
10872981
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85162283012
Pubmed ID
37270793
Journal Title
Medical education online
Volume
28
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Medical education online Vol.28 No.1 (2023) , 2220176
Suggested Citation
Tungsupreechameth A., Tanpowpong P., Puranitee P. Mistreatment in paediatric residency programs in Thailand: a national survey. Medical education online Vol.28 No.1 (2023) , 2220176. doi:10.1080/10872981.2023.2220176 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/87726
Title
Mistreatment in paediatric residency programs in Thailand: a national survey
Author(s)
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Mistreatment in the learning environment is associated with adverse outcomes for residents. Most studies with that regard have been performed in western countries which may have different socio-cultural background and educational and training systems than the non-Western Asian countries. This study aimed (1) to determine the national prevalence of mistreatment in Thai paediatric residents and a correlation with the risk for burnout and other factors and (2) to launch a mistreatment awareness program (MAP) in our training program. METHODS: The study was divided into two phases. Phase 1, an online survey of mistreatment-related questions, was sent to current paediatric residents across the country. Burnout and depression were also self-evaluated by formal screening questions. The results were categorized by the Negative Acts Questionnaire-Revised into five domains of mistreatment: workplace learning-related bullying (WLRB), person-related bullying (PRB), physically intimidating bullying, sexual harassment, and ethnic harassment. Frequent mistreated exposure was defined as if mistreatment occurred >1/week. Phase 2, MAP was conducted by distributing the results of the first phase with some examples of mistreatment events and mistreatment-related videos. After 3 months, at our centre, the survey was resent to evaluate mistreatment. RESULTS: The response rate was 27% (n = 140). We found that 91% experienced ≥1 mistreated situation in the prior 6 months. Most mistreatment domains were WLRB and PRB, and residents were commonly instigated by clinical faculty and nurses. Most (84%) mistreated residents did not report the events. An association between frequent mistreated exposure and burnout was also found (P < 0.001). For Phase 2, the mistreated situations especially the WLRB and PRB domains dropped after the launch of MAP. CONCLUSIONS: Thai paediatric residents frequently perceive mistreatment in their learning environment. Specific aspects of mistreatment, such as WLRB and PRB, should be carefully explored and managed through particular groups of instigators.