Factors influencing the reporting of notifiable conduct in health professionals in Australia

Objective: Notification of misconduct is a requirement by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulatory Agency. The study focuses on examining the factors that influence the intention to report misconduct by applying the Theory of planned behavior model. Method: The quantitative online survey study using vignettes and questionnaires examined one hundred and seventy-two regulated health professionals on factors that may impact the willingness to report on notifiable conduct. Results: The findings indicate that clinicians were more inclined to report on sexual misconduct and alcohol misuse conduct, however, they did not report on clinicians’ competencies. Perceived behavior control, descriptive norms, and subjective norms predicted intention to report notifiable conduct, while attitude was not a predictor. Clinicians with a higher reporting intention were more likely to engage in actual reporting behavior. The behavioral pattern of reporting notifiable conduct did not differ among the three health professional groups. Conclusion: The findings identify important factors that assist clinicians in their decision-making when reporting observed misconduct. Awareness of these factors reduces health care related misconduct. That is, organizations are encouraged to develop specific programs that facilitate clinicians’ decision making by educating and refreshing their knowledge of the factors impacting their intention to report misconducts.