How can interventions more directly address drivers of unprofessional behaviour between healthcare staff?

Justin A Aunger*, Ruth Abrams, Russell Mannion, Johanna I Westbrook, Aled Jones, Judy M Wright, Mark Pearson, Jill Maben

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Unprofessional behaviours (UBs) between healthcare staff are widespread and have negative impacts on patient safety, staff well-being and organisational efficiency. However, knowledge of how to address UBs is lacking. Our recent realist review analysed 148 sources including 42 reports of interventions drawing on different behaviour change strategies and found that interventions insufficiently explain their rationale for using particular strategies. We also explored the drivers of UBs and how these may interact. In our analysis, we elucidated both common mechanisms underlying both how drivers increase UB and how strategies address UB, enabling the mapping of strategies against drivers they address. For example, social norm-setting strategies work by fostering a more professional social norm, which can help tackle the driver 'reduced social cohesion'. Our novel programme theory, presented here, provides an increased understanding of what strategies might be effective to adddress specific drivers of UB. This can inform logic model design for those seeking to develop interventions addressing UB in healthcare settings.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere002830
Number of pages5
JournalBMJ open quality
Volume13
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 8 Jul 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Leadership and Management
  • Health Policy
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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