[Violent patients. A problem for the therapist in psychiatric clinics?]

At four psychiatric hospitals, 128 doctors, 50 psychologists and 55 social workers were asked to complete a questionnaire about their experience with aggressive patients. Fifty-five percent reported having been assaulted seriously during their career; physical assaults during the last year had occurred for 29%. Forty-nine percent had experienced a situation judged as fairly or very dangerous. Women were concerned less than men, social workers less than psychologists and doctors.