Has anyone ever been rude to you at work? A mixed-methods exploration of incivility in the physiotherapy profession.

Introduction: Incivility has negative consequences for healthcare professionals, healthcare organizations and patient care. There is limited understanding about the effect of incivility within physiotherapy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the views and experiences of physiotherapists regarding incivility.

Methods: A convergent mixed-methods approach was utilized via a cross-sectional survey. 339 participants completed the survey which included the Workplace Incivility Scale. A moderated regression model was fit to understand if, and how, band and gender interact as it pertains to incivility. Open-ended responses were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results: Workplace incivility scale responses revealed that Band 5 males experience higher levels of incivility than select other groups. Specifically, band 5 males perceived higher levels of incivility than band 6 females t(326) = -3.39, p = .018, band 7 females t(326) = -3.42, p = .016, band 6 males t(326) = -3.52, p = .011, and band 8 males t(326) = -3.11, p = .043. Thematic analysis of 179 open question responses led to four themes:1) the complexity of healthcare work at the root of incivility in physiotherapy practice;2) manifestations of incivility in the workplace; 3)the negative impact of incivility on individuals and organizations; and 4) addressing and mitigating incivility.

Conclusion: The novel findings of this study have revealed that incivility affects physiotherapists across the spectrum of their career and has a negative impact on them professionally and personally.