Perceived bullying among Norwegian doctors in 1993, 2004 and 2014–2015: a study based on cross-sectional and repeated surveys

OBJECTIVES To examine 12-month prevalence of perceived bullying at work for doctors in different job categories and medical disciplines in 1993, 2004 and 2014-2015, and personality traits, work-related and health-related factors associated with perceived workplace bullying. DESIGN Cross-sectional questionnaire surveys in 1993, 2004 and 2014-2015 where the 2004 and the 2012-2015 samples are partly overlapping. SETTING Norway. PARTICIPANTS Response rates were 72.8% (2628/3608) in 1993, 67% (1004/1499) in 2004 and 78.2% (1261/1612) in 2014-2015. 485 doctors responded both in 2004 and 2014-2015. OUTCOME MEASURE Perceived bullying at work from colleagues or superiors at least a few times a month during the last year. RESULTS Between the samples from 1993, 2004 and 2014-2015, there were no significant differences in the prevalence of perceived bullying at work. More senior hospital doctors and surgeons reported being bullied. Doctors with higher scores on the personality trait neuroticism were more likely to perceive bullying, as were female doctors, doctors with poor job satisfaction and poor self-rated health. CONCLUSIONS The fraction of doctors who experienced bullying at work was stable over a 20-year period. Psychological, psychosocial and cultural factors are predictors of perceived bullying.