Violence against surgical residents

Area of Science:

• Medical Sociology
• Healthcare Management
• Public Health

Background:

• Violence against healthcare workers is a pervasive problem, yet underreported, making accurate prevalence difficult to ascertain.
• Existing research primarily focuses on psychiatric settings, leaving a gap in understanding violence impacting general hospital staff.
• This study addresses the need for data on workplace violence experienced by non-psychiatric hospital personnel.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of violent acts experienced by general hospital workers, specifically surgical residents.
• To identify risk factors and common locations associated with workplace violence in hospitals.
• To analyze demographic data of both victims and perpetrators of hospital violence.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide survey was distributed to surgical residents across 57 residency programs.
• The survey collected data on witnessed and experienced physical attacks, as well as details about the incidents and perpetrators.
• Statistical analysis was performed to identify significant correlations and risk factors.

Main Results:

• Out of 475 respondents, 179 reported being attacked and 280 witnessed attacks.
• Violent acts were more common in public hospitals and emergency rooms.
• Junior residents and female residents were more likely to be attacked or seek security intervention, respectively.
• Perpetrators were most often young Black males (19-30 years old).

Conclusions:

• Workplace violence is a significant concern for surgical residents, particularly in public hospitals and emergency settings.
• Understanding the demographics of perpetrators and high-risk environments is crucial for developing targeted prevention strategies.
• The high rate of firearm presence in the hospital environment warrants further investigation regarding its impact on workplace violence.