Exploring the Impact of Physician Verbal Abuse on Perioperative Nurses

The purpose of this study is to explore the incidence and impact of physician verbal abuse on perioperative nurses. Roy's Adaptation Model was used as the framework for this descriptive, exploratory study. Seventy-eight perioperative nurses completed the Verbal Abuse Scale questionnaire. Seventy-one nurses (91%) reported experiencing some type of verbal abuse from a physician during the past year. Results show, however, that nurses use adaptive coping behaviors and problem-focused skills to deal with the abuse.