Bullying among urology trainees: a cross-sectional survey )

1. No. 30 Bullying among urology trainees: a cross-sectional survey) Ranjan Arianayagam, Prem Rashid Port Macquarie Base Hospital Posters Proudly Supported by: Introduction Recent literature has identified growing concern about bullying in the medical workplace.  We devised a cross-sectional study to assess the prevalence of bullying within a cohort of urology trainees.  Results Aim We conduced a cross-sectional survey of 139 Australian and New Zealand urology trainees, who were given six weeks to complete an anonymous questionnaire about perceived bullying. Our survey was based on a questionnaire used in a UK study. Methods An anonymous, optional, online survey was emailed to all 139 current urology trainees from SET1 to SET6.  59 trainees responded within the six week response period. We defined bullying as ‘persistent, offensive, abusive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, abuse of power or unfair penal sanctions, which makes the recipient feel upset, threatened, humiliated or vulnerable, which undermines their self-confidence and which may cause them to suffer stress’. We also listed specific bullying behaviours. Conclusions Significant and frequent acts of bullying within urological training are relatively uncommon, but bullying is underreported.  Trainees underreported for reasons from fear of repercussions to fear of inaction.  There was little perception of discrimination on racial or gender grounds. Acknowledgements Dr Pauline Quinn, who kindly provided permission for her original survey to be adapted for this study. References Quine L. Workplace bullying in NHS community trust: staff questionnaire survey. BMJ. 1999; 318: 228-32.