Violence Report 2006 final.pdf - BMA

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Health Policy & Economic Research Unit Summary Aim • The aim of the study was to explore the incidence of violence against doctors in an attempt to understand better the extent of such incidences and the impact such violence has on the lives of doctors. Method • A postal survey of 4,669 doctors in Northern Ireland was undertaken. Doctors were asked about their personal experience of workplace violence, in addition to their views and perceptions of violence in the workplace more generally. Findings • Violence is a problem in the workplace for almost half of the doctors who responded and more than a quarter were of the opinion that the level of violence had increased in their workplace over the last year. • Doctors in the SHO hospital grade were more likely to report experience of violence in the workplace, followed by GPs. Comparison with a study of workplace violence against GPs in Northern Ireland undertaken in 2003, shows that the reported incidence of workplace violence has not improved in the last 3 years. • Most respondents experienced violence from patients or from patients’ families/relatives. The incidence of verbal abuse was the most prevalent form of violence or abuse in the workplace, followed by threats and physical assaults. • More than a quarter of doctors who reported experience of workplace violence, experienced physical violence or abuse. Among those doctors, a third stated that they received minor injuries as a result of the incident and 3 per cent reported serious injuries. • The majority of violent incidents took place in the hospital ward or doctors’ office. In two-thirds of cases, respondents reported that the incident took place during working hours, whilst a fifth took place during out-of-hours. • The most frequently stated reason for a violent incident against a doctor was dissatisfaction with the service provided, followed by intoxication with alcohol/drugs, health related/personal problems or a history of violence/abuse. • In less than half of cases, some form of action was taken following the violent incident. Three quarters of the doctors reported the incident to a line manager or senior colleague and a third reported the incident to the police. Violence in the workplace – The experience of doctors in Northern Ireland 1
2 Health Policy & Economic Research Unit • Following the violent incident, support was received by less than two-thirds of doctors. Around a third stated that their experience of violence had affected their work, either psychologically or physically. • The majority of respondents had not received any training on how to deal with violence from patients and training of this nature is particularly poor amongst hospital doctors. • Around half of the doctors were worried about potential violence from patients and GPs were more likely to express concern about patient violence. Two in five respondents had taken precautions against potential violence, particularly among GPs. • Less than 10 per cent of respondents reported having access to a secure facility in which to treat violent patients. The majority agreed that there should be a register of violent patients set up in each Health Board area. • More than half of the doctors reported that they had witnessed violence from patients directed at others in their workplace in the last year. Violence towards nursing staff and other doctors is more likely to occur in a hospital setting, whilst the incidence of violence against receptionists/administrators is more likely in general practice. • Only half of respondents reported the presence of a clear policy on zero tolerance to violence in their workplace. Less than half were of the opinion that, as doctors, it was possible to adopt a zero tolerance to violence. Violence in the workplace – The experience of doctors in Northern Ireland
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Violence Report 2006 final.pdf - BMA

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