Identification of Bullying Behaviours and Coping Strategies of Postgraduate Trainees in Clinical Settings

Background: Despite the world over recognition of bullying it still remains an understudied area which needs further research. Furthermore, the administrations and heads of departments are reluctant to acknowledge that there is occurrence bullying in their institution.Objective: To identify bullying behaviors experienced by post graduate residents in clinical environment and the strategies used for coping with them.Material and Methods:  A total of 355 participants were taken. Two tools were used to collect the necessary data, consisted of three parts:Negative Acts Questionnaire,Brief COPE Inventory; and a demographic sheet. Results: There were 125(35.21%) participants who were used to giving up the attempt to cope, I've been getting emotional support from others was told by 116(32.67%), I've been blaming myself for things that happened was reportedby 111(31.26%), I've been criticizing myself was told by 107(30.14%). Others coping strategies (now and then, monthly, weekly daily) were identified as praying or meditating by 295(83.09%) participants, learning to live with it by 291(81.97%) and thinking hard about what steps to take by 291(81.97). The bullying behaviors experienced by residents were having your opinions and views ignored were reported by 259(72.95%), 247(69.57%) told about being ordered to do work below your level of competence, blaming myself for things that happened for 244(68.73%), repeated reminders of your errors or mistakes by 239(67.32%). Conclusion: It is concluded that bullying is major problem and must be minimized in new residents by making it part of curriculum or polices of various institutions. Keywords: Workplace, bullying, mental torture, workload, residents.