A qualitative study of academic bullying among junior doctors in Sierra Leone.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Academic bullying of junior doctors undermines trainee wellbeing and patient care, yet little is known about its manifestation in Sierra Leone. This qualitative study explored the experiences, perceptions, and coping strategies of junior doctors subjected to academic bullying at the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospitals Complex (USLTHC).

Methods

Guided by a social-constructivist paradigm, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 29 junior doctors across major hospitals that comprise the USLTHC. Data were collected between July 20 and August 31, 2024, using an English-language interview guide. Thematic analysis was undertaken with NVivo software.

Results

Eight inter-related themes emerged: (1) entrenched clinical hierarchies, (2) overt verbal a

SUBMITTER: Jalloh F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12461974 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature