Skip to main content

Main menu

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current
      • JNMT Supplement
    • Ahead of print
    • Past Issues
    • SNMMI Annual Meeting Abstracts
  • Subscriptions
    • Subscribers
    • Rates
    • Journal Claims
  • Authors
    • Submit to JNMT
    • Information for Authors
    • Assignment of Copyright
  • Info
    • Permissions
    • Continuing Education
    • Advertisers
    • Corporate & Special Sales
  • About
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Editorial Contact
  • More
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
    • Help
    • SNMMI Journals
  • SNMMI
    • JNMT
    • JNM
    • SNMMI Journals
    • SNMMI

User menu

  • Subscribe
  • My alerts
  • Log in
  • My Cart

Search

  • Advanced search
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
  • SNMMI
    • JNMT
    • JNM
    • SNMMI Journals
    • SNMMI
  • Subscribe
  • My alerts
  • Log in
  • My Cart
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology

Advanced Search

  • Home
  • Content
    • Current
    • Ahead of print
    • Past Issues
    • SNMMI Annual Meeting Abstracts
  • Subscriptions
    • Subscribers
    • Rates
    • Journal Claims
  • Authors
    • Submit to JNMT
    • Information for Authors
    • Assignment of Copyright
  • Info
    • Permissions
    • Continuing Education
    • Advertisers
    • Corporate & Special Sales
  • About
    • About Us
    • Editorial Board
    • Editorial Contact
  • More
    • Alerts
    • Feedback
    • Help
    • SNMMI Journals
  • Follow SNMMI on Twitter
  • Visit SNMMI on Facebook
OtherProfessional Development

Bullying in the Nuclear Medicine Department and Clinical Education

Shannon Nixon Youngblood
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology December 2020, jnmt.120.257204; DOI: https://doi.org/10.2967/jnmt.120.257204
Shannon Nixon Youngblood
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, United States
  • Find this author on Google Scholar
  • Find this author on PubMed
  • Search for this author on this site
  • ORCID record for Shannon Nixon Youngblood
  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF
Loading

Abstract

Workplace bullying in the medical field is a significant occupational hazard and health care safety concern, though many cases go unreported. Often regarded as a rite of passage to desensitize and toughen up new employees and students, psychological harm during medical preparation creates an unsafe working environment resulting in health complications, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating, and self-harm. Decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, high turnover rates, and inappropriate patient care are linked to bullying, perpetrating organizational dysfunction. This research study evaluated workplace bullying (prevalence, frequency, and behaviors; associated characteristics; effects on patient care; and awareness and enforcement of antibullying protocols) in nuclear medicine departments and clinical education. Methods: A quantitative single-group correlational analysis was used to survey certified nuclear medicine technologists and students in the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board email database (n = 20,389). The highest response rate for any individual question was n = 836. Data were collected using the Short Negative Acts Questionnaire along with a researcher-created survey and analyzed using chi-square and central tendencies. Results: Bullying existed in varying degrees (46.8%) within the previous 6 months; predominantly by being ignored, excluded, subjected to repeated reminders of errors, and withholding information affecting their performance. Nuclear medicine professionals are more likely to witness and experience workplace bullying than students and are more likely to be bullied by a fellow technologist. Characteristics, such as gender, age, and occupation, were statistically significant while others, such as race, height, body type, experience, and education showed no significant correlation. Attention to patient care decreased (39.6%) when bullying was present. An 8% variation exists between antibullying policies being enforced/not enforced, with 26% of professionals unaware of antibullying policies at their place of work. Conclusion: Explanations for underreported workplace bullying include fear of retaliation; nonenforcement and lack of awareness of antibullying policies; organizational complacency; and perceived hierarchical power. Recommendations to minimize workplace bullying include adopting and publicizing a descriptive definition, implementing antibullying policies, mediation procedures, and noncompliance penalties. Decreasing incidences of workplace bullying increase employee satisfaction and retention, patient safety, and enhances student success.

  • Other
  • Allied Health
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Radiological Sciences
  • Workplace Bullying

This article requires a subscription to view the full text. If you have a subscription you may use the login form below to view the article. Access to this article can also be purchased.

SNMMI members

SNMMI Member Login

Login to the site using your SNMMI member credentials

Individuals

Non-Member Login

Login as an individual user

PreviousNext
Back to top

In this issue

Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology: 48 (4)
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
Vol. 48, Issue 4
December 1, 2020
  • Table of Contents
  • About the Cover
  • Index by author
Download PDF
Article Alerts
Sign In to Email Alerts with your Email Address
Email Article

Thank you for your interest in spreading the word on Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology.

NOTE: We only request your email address so that the person you are recommending the page to knows that you wanted them to see it, and that it is not junk mail. We do not capture any email address.

Enter multiple addresses on separate lines or separate them with commas.
Bullying in the Nuclear Medicine Department and Clinical Education
(Your Name) has sent you a message from Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology
(Your Name) thought you would like to see the Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology web site.
Citation Tools
Bullying in the Nuclear Medicine Department and Clinical Education
Shannon Nixon Youngblood
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology Dec 2020, jnmt.120.257204; DOI: 10.2967/jnmt.120.257204

Citation Manager Formats

  • BibTeX
  • Bookends
  • EasyBib
  • EndNote (tagged)
  • EndNote 8 (xml)
  • Medlars
  • Mendeley
  • Papers
  • RefWorks Tagged
  • Ref Manager
  • RIS
  • Zotero
Share
Bullying in the Nuclear Medicine Department and Clinical Education
Shannon Nixon Youngblood
Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology Dec 2020, jnmt.120.257204; DOI: 10.2967/jnmt.120.257204
del.icio.us logo Digg logo Reddit logo Twitter logo CiteULike logo Facebook logo Google logo Mendeley logo
  • Tweet Widget
  • Facebook Like
  • Google Plus One

Jump to section

  • Article
  • Info & Metrics
  • PDF

Related Articles

  • No related articles found.
  • PubMed
  • Google Scholar

Cited By...

  • No citing articles found.
  • Google Scholar

More in this TOC Section

  • A Team Approach to Professional Development and Accountability
  • Establishing a Radiation Safety Credential for Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Show more PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Similar Articles

Keywords

  • Other
  • Allied Health
  • Nuclear Medicine
  • Radiological Sciences
  • Workplace Bullying
SNMMI

© 2021 Journal of Nuclear Medicine Technology

Powered by HighWire