title: Physiotherapy students' experiences of bullying on clinical internships: a qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To consider the experiences of final-year physiotherapy students who have experienced workplace bullying on a clinical internship.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative methodology using individual semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  METHODS
  A university in the Midlands region of the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight undergraduate physiotherapy students who had experienced one incident of bullying on a clinical internship.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four main themes were identified: (1) external and situational influences of bullying; (2) students' reactions to the experience of bullying; (3) inability to reveal the experience; and (4) overcoming problems. Bullying had a range of adverse effects on the students, with many expressing self-doubt in their competence and viewing their supervisor as unapproachable and unsupportive. Five students were not initially able to recognise the experience as bullying. In addition, students did not feel able to report the experience and use the support mechanisms in place. This may have been a result of having concerns that the problem would escalate if they reported the experience and, as a consequence, have a negative effect on their grade. Students were keen to offer a range of strategies for clinical practice in order to prevent bullying for future generations of students.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Students' health, security and confidence in their ability as a physiotherapist can be at great risk from bullying. Steps are needed to ensure that students are better protected from bullying, and feel more able to address bullying behaviour during clinical internships.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Whiteside
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Care, University of Greenwich, Avery Hill, Eltham, London SE9 2UG, UK.
authors.forename: Brendon
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Stubbs
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Soundy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D058445:Bullying / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical; D008297:Male; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Bullying; Clinical internships; Experiences; Physiotherapy; Qualitative; Students