BREAKING THE CODE OF SILENCE: RESIDENTS' PERSPECTIVES ON BULLYING IN ORTHOPEDIC RESIDENCY

Abstract

Orthopaedic surgery residents operate in an environment marked by high stress, encompassing various professional and personal demands. Burnout is prevalent in this field, with 42.5% of orthopaedic residents experiencing it. Orthopaedic surgeons, in general, report burnout rates ranging from 28.4% to 85.1%. Bullying is a pervasive issue in modern society, defined as unwarranted aggressive behavior causing harm or distress with an imbalance of power. In the context of the medical profession, workplace bullying includes actions intended to cause distress, such as assigning menial tasks, withholding information, or offering unfair criticism. The repercussions are significant, leading to decreased performance, errors, and strained relationships. This study highlights the prevalence of bullying in graduate medical education, with a recent survey indicating a 48% prevalence across all resident types. Specifically, among general surgery residents, 66.9% reported experiencing bullying, with 18.1% facing frequent bullying. Risk factors included gender, race, international medical school origin, and in-training exam scores. Understanding the impact of bullying on orthopaedic surgery residents and identifying strategies for mitigation is vital in addressing the well-being and professional development of these healthcare professionals.