Prevalence and prevention of workplace aggression in Australian clinical medical practice

To determine the extent of aggression directed towards Australian doctors and the implementation of aggression prevention and minimisation strategies in medical workplaces.

Data were obtained from the pilot phase (n=321) of the Medicine in Australia: Balancing Employment and Life survey of the clinical medical workforce in 2010. Descriptive statistics were generated in relation to doctors' experiences of aggression at work in the previous 12 months, and the implementation of workplace aggression prevention and minimisation strategies. Distributions of the outcome variables were evaluated by doctor type and sex.

More than 70% of doctors experienced verbal or written aggression and almost a third experienced physical aggression. Higher proportions of hospital non-specialists and specialists-in-training experienced aggression from patients, patient relatives or carers and co-workers. Higher proportions of female doctors experienced verbal or written aggression from patient relatives or carers and co-workers. Overall, the more basic aggression prevention and minimisation strategies had been implemented in approximately two-thirds of clinical settings, with lower rates for more extended strategies.

Many Australian doctors experience workplace aggression. The more widespread adoption of measures that support the prevention and minimisation of aggression in medical practice settings appears necessary.