Mbada Chidozie E, Efunniyi Adenike O, Omole John O, Adegbemigun Oluwafemi D, Ademoyegun Adekola B, Fasuyi Francis, Adekanla Babatunde A
Department of Health Professions, Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom.
Department of Physiotherapy, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, Nigeria.
J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2025 Mar 26;20(2):234-241. doi: 10.1016/j.jtumed.2025.03.002. eCollection 2025 Apr.
Bullying in physiotherapy education and practice is a significant issue that has received limited attention in the literature. This study assessed the prevalence and impact of bullying experiences on work performance among Nigerian physiotherapists, while also identifying the sociodemographic factors associated with these bullying experiences.
Ninety-seven physiotherapists from six purposively selected federal hospitals in South-West Nigeria participated in this study. An educational pamphlet was initially provided to consenting respondents to clarify the concept of bullying as a psychosocial construct. Subsequently, bullying experiences and their impact on work performance were assessed using validated self-administered questionnaires. Data on sociodemographic and work characteristics of the respondents were also collected.
The study found a 40.2 % prevalence of bullying experiences. Of those affected, 51.3 % experienced vertical bullying, 12.8 % lateral bullying, and 35.9 % both forms. Vertical bullying was primarily perpetrated by chief medical directors (15.8 %), consultants (15.8 %), and medical officers (31.6 %). Bullying experiences were associated with negative work performance (40.2 %) and poor teamwork with other health professionals (61.6 %). There was a significant association between the level of bullying experience and work performance (χ = 84.718, p = 0.001).
Nigerian physiotherapists experience a high prevalence of lateral and vertical bullying, which negatively impacts their work performance and relationships with other healthcare providers. Addressing this issue is crucial for a healthier work environment and better professional interactions.
物理治疗教育与实践中的欺凌行为是一个重要问题，但在文献中受到的关注有限。本研究评估了尼日利亚物理治疗师中欺凌经历的发生率及其对工作表现的影响，同时还确定了与这些欺凌经历相关的社会人口学因素。
从尼日利亚西南部六家经过有目的选择的联邦医院中选取了97名物理治疗师参与本研究。最初向同意参与的受访者提供了一份教育宣传册，以阐明欺凌作为一种社会心理结构的概念。随后，使用经过验证的自填式问卷评估欺凌经历及其对工作表现的影响。还收集了受访者的社会人口学和工作特征数据。
研究发现欺凌经历的发生率为40.2%。在受影响的人中，51.3%经历过纵向欺凌，12.8%经历过横向欺凌，35.9%两种形式都经历过。纵向欺凌主要由首席医疗主任（15.8%）、顾问（15.8%）和医务人员（31.6%）实施。欺凌经历与负面工作表现（40.2%）以及与其他卫生专业人员的团队合作不佳（61.6%）相关。欺凌经历的程度与工作表现之间存在显著关联（χ = 84.718，p = 0.001）。
尼日利亚物理治疗师经历横向和纵向欺凌的比例很高，这对他们的工作表现以及与其他医疗服务提供者的关系产生了负面影响。解决这个问题对于营造更健康的工作环境和更好的专业互动至关重要。
