The Joint Commission On The Accreditation Of Healthcare Organizations (JACHO) requires all hospitals and healthcare organizations in the U.S. to have written policy regarding how “disruptive physicians” must be addressed.
Disruptive behavior is defined as “any abusive conduct, including sexual or other forms of harassment, or other forms of verbal or nonverbal conduct that harms or intimidates others to the extent that quality of care or patient safety could be compromised.” Disruptive physician behaviors include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Physical or verbal intimidation or challenge, including disseminating threats or pushing, grabbing, or striking another person involved with the hospital
- Physically threatening language directed at anyone in the hospital
- Physical contact with another individual that is threatening or intimidating
- Throwing instruments, charts, or other items
- Threats of violence or retribution
- Sexual or other forms of harassment including, but not limited to, persistent inappropriate behavior.
In summary, “disruptive behavior” is really poor impulse control or problems managing anger on the part of a practicing physician.
Intervention Programs for “disruptive physicians”
Currently, most coaching programs for “disruptive physicians” begin with a comprehensive Emotional Intelligence Assessment. Emotional Intelligence Assessments are designed to identify strengths and deficits in self-awareness, self-control, empathy, assertive communication, self-control, social awareness and relationship management. Since anger is not an illness, formal psychiatric assessments are not required nor appropriate.
Following the assessment, each physician is given feedback on the results of his or her assessment along with two client workbooks and other EI skill enhancement material.
Coaching is conducted via phone for a six-month period with a focus on skill enhancements in emotional intelligence. At the end of the coaching a Post Test is administered to determine the success in addressing the physician’s level of functioning in 15 emotional intelligence scales.
George Anderson, MSW, BCD, CAMF
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