A series of videos exploring bullying, harassment and undermining behaviour in the workplace have been launched by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
The videos have been produced in response to the GMC’s Annual Trainee Survey published in 2009, which revealed that a significant number of trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology have felt undermined at some point in training.
These new videos give valuable insight into difficult situations trainee doctors may experience and how they can be constructively dealt with. The videos also give advice on what trainees should do if they are being subjected to undermining behaviour from senior trainees, supervisors or other colleagues.
Dr Maggie Blott, RCOG Vice President for Education, said “This new series of videos demonstrates the importance of giving effective feedback to trainees and they outline what could be construed as undermining behaviour. The aim is to help trainees and trainers realise how they should interact professionally, and be sympathetic to one another’s needs. The videos should be used as part of a wider learning experience where individuals can make sense of the issues and reflect on their own experience, attitude and behaviour.
“The RCOG will continue to do what it can to support trainees. We will work to ensure that the specialty is an attractive career prospect for promising and talented young doctors."
Helen Richardson, Associate Dean, Northern Deanery, conducted the research behind the videos and added: “For my MClinEd research I explored interactions between surgical trainees and trainers in the operating theatre. I found that the way a trainee responds to feedback, and indeed any communication, depends on many attributes which may be 'hidden'. Things like aspects of their personality, self confidence and emotional intelligence all contribute, along with what sort of a day they're having and simply how they feel at that moment.
“It became clear that my findings also applied to the issues of bullying and harassment. Dramatisations of real events are a very powerful learning tool, and encourage the viewer to think more deeply about the issues presented.”
Dr Jo Mountfield, Director of Education at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust and clinical lead for the project said: “The reason I took on this project was a belief that challenging undermining behaviour is everybody's business and the first step in significantly reducing its occurrence. Giving professionals real life scenarios on video, which they can refer to and use for educational purposes, would if nothing else, enable and support them in making the initial challenge and legitimise actively addressing concerns that may have been overlooked in the past . We can make a difference but professionals need the tools to help.”
The videos were commissioned by the RCOG and produced by Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust and Wessex Deanery.
To view the videos please visit the Giving effective feedback in training section of the College website.
