Work

Workplace mistreatment of Swedish health care professionals: prevalence and perpetrators across profession, sex, and birth country

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: This study explores the prevalence and co-occurrence of workplace mistreatment of nurses and physicians and their perpetrators. We explore the distribution of incivility and identity-based harassment (ethnicity-, gender-based, and/or sexual harassment), combined with sex and birth country in these two professional groups. METHODS: This cross-sectional study draws on survey data, including an analytical sample of 141,237 Swedish nurses and physicians in 2022. RESULTS: Incivility was the most prevalent mistreatment type, ranging from 28.2% among male physicians to 59.5% among nurses born outside Europe. Identity-based harassment ranged from 18.1% among male physicians to 57.8% among nurses born outside Europe. Incivility stemmed most commonly from internal perpetrators (co-workers), and harassment was more commonly experienced by patients or their relatives. CONCLUSIONS: The mistreatment of healthcare professionals was widespread. Different types of mistreatment often co-occur, but prevalence varies substantially. The protective effect of professional status was dependent on social structures.

Source: BMC Health Services Research

DOI: 10.1186/s12913-025-12620-0

Authors: Britta E. Gynning, Elinor Forsheden Sidoli, Katrina J. Blindow, Emma Cedstrand, Erika L. Sabbath, Emma Brulin

Institutions: Karolinska Institutet, Region Stockholm, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Workplace Violence and Bullying

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Decent work and economic growth, Gender equality

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,290