Background: Under-representation of women and people of color (POC) in leadership positions has recently gained significant attention, and there are ongoing efforts to enhance their recruitment and advancement. The same intensity of work must be applied to also improve their workplace experiences. Discrimination, bias, and microaggressions are common day-to-day experiences among both POC and women [...]

Background: Communication, teamwork, and conflict navigation amongst physician colleagues are core competencies. Yet, how these core elements of professional behavior are enacted in practice remains poorly characterized, and interpersonal interactions continue to be a central source of workplace conflict. While this has been described in the nursing literature, physicians’ experience of conflict with other physician [...]

Background: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that healthcare workers experience workplace violence at 4 times the national average and providing care to patients with decompensated psychiatric illnesses disproportionately increases the risk of workplace assault (1). 20-40% of hospitalized medical patients have comorbid, decompensated psychiatric conditions that can impair insight regarding chronic medical conditions, [...]

Background: Behavioral emergencies in the hospital are on the rise, leading to increased workplace violence. A small body of evidence recommends an inpatient Behavioral Emergency Response Team (BERT), a multi-disciplinary team to de-escalate behavioral emergencies that can be harmful to the patient or staff. Observational studies have reported that BERT can reduce workplace violence, use [...]

Background: OSHA defines workplace violence (WPV) as any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation or disruptive behavior. Healthcare-related WPV is often under-reported and healthcare workers are five times more likely than other professionals to be affected.1 Beyond the immediate trauma, negative outcomes can include low morale and productivity, and increased job stress and [...]

Background: Over two-thirds of workplace assaults in the United States occur in healthcare and social services settings. Patients/visitors are the most common source of workplace violence (WPV), called type II WPV. Nurses, clinicians working in the emergency room, behavioral and psychiatry wards are at high risk for type II WPV. National and international organizations recommend [...]

Background: Physician burnout is associated with negative outcomes for physicians, patients, and organizations. In our urban, academic medical center, 32% of hospitalist faculty report experiencing burnout at least once weekly. Clinical practice as a hospitalist involves dealing with medical acuity, diagnostic and therapeutic uncertainty, and complex interpersonal interactions, all of which may contribute to emotional [...]

Background: Violence towards healthcare workers represents a critical threat to safe and effective care delivery. United States Bureau of Labor statistics demonstrate disproportionately higher rates of violence towards healthcare staff than workers in other industries, with healthcare accounting for 73 percent of all nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses due to violence in 2018 (1). The [...]