Physiotherapy students' experiences of bullying on clinical internships: an exploratory study.

OBJECTIVES

To consider the prevalence and type of bullying behaviours experienced whilst on clinical placement in a cohort of final-year BSc undergraduate students.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

SETTING

University in the West Midlands, UK.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-two final-year undergraduate students.

MAIN OUTCOME

Prevalence of incivility and bullying behaviours.

RESULTS

Twenty-five percent of students reported at least one incident of bullying behaviour. The perpetrator of the bullying behaviour was most often the clinical educator (8/13, 62%). Despite the negative effects caused, the majority of students (11/13, 84%) did not report this experience to the university.

CONCLUSION

Bullying behaviour may take many forms and can have a negative effect on the well-being of students. It should be addressed by all stakeholders including universities, National Health Service trusts and researchers. Possible strategies to move forwards and better protect the future of the physiotherapy profession are briefly considered.