Assaults on psychiatrists by patients

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Medical Sociology

Background:

• Patient-on-psychiatrist violence is a recognized occupational hazard.
• Understanding the prevalence and context of assaults is crucial for clinician safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To survey psychiatrists on their experiences with patient assaults.
• To identify risk factors and potential preventative measures for assaults in psychiatric practice.

Main Methods:

• A survey was distributed to 115 psychiatrists.
• Data collected included the number of assaults, career stage, and work setting.

Main Results:

• 48 psychiatrists reported 68 assaults.
• Assaults were more common early in careers and in high-risk settings (prisons, ERs).
• Many psychiatrists believed they could have anticipated or influenced the assaults.

Conclusions:

• Psychiatrists may avoid confronting patient violence due to various factors.
• Clinicians need training in managing potentially assaultive patients to improve safety.