Disciplinary Action and the Restructuring of Health Care in Ontario: The Impact on Nurses.

Beardwood, B., Eyles, J., French, S., Walters, V. Working Paper 95- 13, Disciplinary Action and the Restructuring of Health Care in Ontario: The Impact on Nurses. Hamilton, Ontario: Quality of Nursing Worklife Research Unit, University of Toronto - McMaster University.

ABSTRACT

In this report, we present our findings of a study of complaints against nurses and the disciplinary process of the College of Nurses of Ontario. The methodology involved archival research from 1983 to 1993 - the Discipline Committee's reports, the Annual Report of the College of Nurses and other documents - as well as interviews with key informants. We observe that the number of complaints to the College is very small, that the numbers have increased over this period, and that the source of complaints has changed. We discuss the implications of the process for the nurse and the nurses' perceptions of this process. Additionally, we discuss the reasons for the increase in complaints: changes in the health care system, an increased awareness of rights and a change in nursing's image. We suggest that an increased legalization of the process, a focus on individual responsibility, restructuring, and an increased awareness of rights by patients have contributed to an increased dissatisfaction with the complaints process by both nurses and complainants. We propose several strategies for changing the process and we consider the implications of the increased emphasis on the public interest without the provision of adequate support systems for the nurse.