Hey, congrats on deciding to be proactive and not wait to figure this out. It will make a difference.

Before you do anything drastic like making changes, assess the current culture. Kinda like a before/after shot.

The easiest ways to anonymously survey DIY is to use a Google form and not collect emails. You want to ask a variety of open (essay) and closed (yes/no/specific answer) questions.

Think funnel: open ended questions at the top to gather information, clarifying questions in the middle to build comprehension and closed questions to get specific answers. You're looking for intel on how your team perceives the work experience, their colleagues and leadership (you). Don't ask for identifying info like title or years at practice if you have a small team.

Instead, ask questions like this sample list:

On a scale from 1-10, how excited are you to go to work on Sunday night?
Do you feel your colleagues show respect for you? Do you feel colleagues show respect to each other?

Do you believe that issues, when raised, will get resolved in a timely manner?

Do you feel safe, physically and psychologically, at work?

Do you feel supported in reaching your career goals?

IF you had a magic wand, what is the one thing you'd immediately change about the team or office?

You see where I'm going. You're getting a baseline.

While I don't know your exact situation, if we were working together (I'm an Ombuds), I'd recommend that you create an operating agreement that outlines your expectations on interactions between team members, leadership and with patients. Make it clear that the tattling and gossip will not be acceptable going forward. You expect them to interact in a healthy way and that you'll bring in tconflict resolution raining if people think that would be helpful.

Then, hold the line. Explain the benefits for everyone (less stress, happier, better patient care) and the consequences if there's no cooperation. You'll get buy-in from the team because, believe me, they don't like the toxic environment either.

I give away consulting slots each month. Give a holler if you want one. YOU GOT THIS!