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Midwifery students’ perceptions of the modifiable organisational factors that foster bullying behaviours whilst on clinical placement. A qualitative descriptive study
Capper, Tanya S. Muurlink, Olav T. Williamson, Moira J.
Capper, Tanya S.
Muurlink, Olav T.
Williamson, Moira J.
Abstract
Problem
An increasing body of research suggests midwifery students experience bullying and harassment whilst on clinical placement. Little is known, however, about factors that foster bullying within this context and how they may be addressed.
Aim
To explore and describe midwifery students’ perceptions of what modifiable organisational factors foster bullying behaviours and to map the identified factors against the students’ perceptions of a solution.
Methods
A qualitative descriptive design was used. A total of 120 midwifery students from the United Kingdom and Australia participated in this study. Participants completed an online qualitative survey and data was thematically analysed.
Findings
The midwifery students in this study perceive that several organisational factors exist that help foster bullying behaviours towards them whilst undertaking clinical placement. Three overarching themes were identified relating to ineffective midwifery mentorship, the high stress environment of the maternity unit, and challenges faced with transparency and whistleblowing. Students identified a range of potential structural responses to bullying.
Conclusions
Recommendations are made that midwifery managers and academics acknowledge how students perceive several potentially modifiable organisational factors which either lead to or exacerbate the likelihood of them being the target of bullying whilst on clinical placement. Consideration should be given to solutions that from the student’s perspective may help tackle bullying and subsequently lead to fewer students leaving midwifery education and further depleting the future workforce.
Keywords
midwifery students, bullying, causes, solutions
Date
2021
Type
Journal article
Journal
Women and Birth
Book
Volume
34
Issue
6
Page Range
e608-e615
Article Number
ACU Department
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled