Violence against physicians in training. A Romanian perspective

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physician Well-being
• Workplace Violence

Background:

• Violence against medical trainees is a significant concern.
• Understanding the discrepancy between perceived and actual aggression is crucial for implementing effective safety measures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare perceived versus actual aggression experienced by medical trainees across specialties and training stages.
• To characterize the types of aggression faced by physicians in training in Romania.

Main Methods:

• A multi-institutional survey was conducted.
• 384 medical residents from various specialties participated.
• Assessed prevalence of perceived and actual violence.

Main Results:

• Actual physical aggression was 48% higher than perceived; sexual harassment increased by 722%.
• Psychological abuse was perceived similarly to its actual occurrence.
• Perceived violence significantly underestimated the actual prevalence, particularly for physical and sexual aggression.

Conclusions:

• Physicians in training often underestimate the true extent of violence directed towards them.
• This under-awareness can hinder the adoption of safety protocols, potentially worsening outcomes.
• Addressing this perception-reality gap is vital for improving trainee safety and support systems.