Experiences of workplace conflicts among female nurses and doctors in Nigeria: A qualitative systematic review.

Abstract

Background: Workplace conflicts among healthcare professionals have been identified as a significant issue affecting job satisfaction, mental health, and retention. However, limited research has been conducted specifically on the experiences of female nurses and doctors in Nigeria. Understanding these experiences is critical for developing targeted interventions and policies to promote a supportive work environment. This study aimed to systematically review and synthesize the available literature on workplace conflicts experienced by female nurses and doctors in Nigeria.

Methods: An exhaustive search was conducted across multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS, CINAHL, and EMBASE. The search identified 2,041 studies, of which seven met the inclusion criteria. The Critical Appraisal Skilled Programme (CASP) checklist was utilized to assess the quality of the included studies. A thematic review approach was employed for data synthesis.

Results: The analysis included a total of 479 nurses and doctors across the included studies. The findings revealed, based on the experience and type of work conflict—gender discrimination, power imbalances, Interprofessional relationships, transgenerational strain, and resource allocation—were mostly reported. These conflicts negatively affected job satisfaction, mental health, and retention rates among female healthcare professionals in Nigeria.

Conclusion: Workplace conflicts pose significant challenges for Nigerian female nurses and doctors, affecting their well-being and professional experiences. To address these conflicts, policies that promote gender equality, effective conflict resolution strategies, and a supportive work environment must be developed and implemented. More research is needed to investigate contextual factors, evaluate interventions, and examine long-term consequences to inform evidence-based practises.