Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Workplace Violence Against General Practitioners in Hubei, China

To assess the prevalence and factors associated with physical and nonphysical violence in a sample of general practitioners (GPs).

We used a cross-sectional design to collect data from December 2014 to March 2015 with a structured self-administered questionnaire from 1015 GPs in Hubei Province, Central China (response rate, 85.6%). We used a multivariable logistic regression model to identify the predictors associated with workplace violence toward GPs.

Of the respondents, 62.2% of respondents reported exposure to workplace violence in the preceding year, including 18.9% and 61.4% who encountered physical and nonphysical violence, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis suggested that GPs who were male, at a higher professional level, and who had a lower average monthly income were more likely to experience physical violence. Male GPs, less-experienced GPs, and those with administrative responsibility were more likely than their counterparts to encounter nonphysical violence.

This study shows that the prevalence of workplace violence against GPs is high in Hubei, China. Creating a prevention strategy and providing safer workplace environments for GPs should be urgently prioritized.