Active Bystander:
Empowering Change in Healthcare
Why Active Bystander Training Matters
In high-pressure healthcare environments, inappropriate behaviours—ranging from microaggressions to overt harassment—can become normalised, undermining team cohesion and patient safety. Active Bystander training equips healthcare professionals with the skills to recognise and address such behaviours constructively, fostering a culture of respect and inclusion.
A 2023 study by the University of Cambridge revealed that fewer than 1 in 5 NHS Trusts in England offer Active Bystander training[1], despite its proven effectiveness in addressing workplace incivility, microaggressions and even sexual harassment.
Core Strategies of the Active Bystander Approach
The training introduces practical techniques to intervene safely and effectively. This may be represented as the 4D's:
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Direct: Address the behaviour immediately and calmly.
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Distract: Defuse the situation by redirecting attention.
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Delegate: Seek assistance from colleagues or supervisors.
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Delay: Check in with the affected individual after the incident.
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Document: Make a note of what happened
Or as I frame it; 3A's:
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Act Now or Later
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Approach the perpetrator or Approach the recipient
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Ally support
These strategies are designed to empower staff to act without escalating situations, reinforcing a supportive workplace culture[2].
Benefits for Healthcare Teams
Implementing Active Bystander training can lead to:
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Empowerment of staff to intervene safely and productively[3]
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Reduced incidents of workplace harassment and bullying.
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Improved staff morale and retention.
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Better patient outcomes through a more respectful care environment.
Integrating with Civility Saves Lives
At Civility Saves Lives, we believe that fostering a culture of civility is fundamental to patient safety and staff well-being. Active Bystander training complements our mission by providing actionable tools to address incivility and promote positive behaviours in healthcare settings[4].
Get Involved
Interested in bringing Active Bystander training to your organisation? We offer tailored sessions for NHS Trusts and healthcare providers that interlink the powerful tools of Active Bystander approaches with the core Civility Message. Contact us to learn more about our programmes and how they can benefit your team.
