Abstract
BackgroundAggression against GPs has increased in the past decade. Depending on experience, interpretation, and personality, the interpretation of aggressive patient behaviour will differ among doctors.AimTo investigate how often GPs experience aggression in a 1-year time span and what the relationship is between the GP's personality (based on the 'Big Five' personality traits) and the reporting of aggression. Secondly, to investigate how personality is related to feeling safe.Design & settingFlemish (Belgian Federal State) GPs were questioned in a cross-sectional design by online survey. GPs were recruited and questioned in their professional environment.MethodOutcome measures were the 'Big Five' personality traits ('reserved' versus 'outgoing', 'compassionate' versus 'challenging', 'efficient' versus 'careless', 'confident' versus 'nervous', and 'cautious' versus 'innovative', based on Cattel's 'Big Five' model of personality), the type of aggression, the reporting of aggression, and feeling safe.ResultsBoth (n = 247) male and female doctors considered physical contact and verbal intimidation as aggression. Female doctors were more likely to consider sexual harassment as aggression. The majority of GPs were confronted with verbal aggression. More than half considered physical aggression as the most threatening. GPs with 'reserved' and 'careless' personality types were more likely to experience aggression. GPs with 'innovative', 'challenging', or 'confident' personality types were also at increased risk, but to a lesser extent than those with 'reserved' and 'careless' personalities. GPs with 'efficient' and 'innovative' personalities were more likely to report incidents. Male GPs and those with 'efficient' personalities felt safer. GPs with 'confident' and 'cautious' personalities were more likely to feel unsafe.ConclusionThe results of this study might help future interventions and support strategies (designed to prevent aggressive incidents or help GPs cope with them) to target the vulnerable groups. Further research should therefore explore the results of these data in depth and on a larger sample size.
Highlights
The majority of GPs were confronted with verbal aggression
How this fits in Aggression from patients to doctors is increasing
Aggression against GPs has been a known phenomenon for a long time, but the number of incidents seems to have increased in recent years
Summary
Aggression against GPs has been a known phenomenon for a long time, but the number of incidents seems to have increased in recent years. Goldberg identifies four levels of aggression: verbal aggression, physical aggression, psychological aggression (threat and intimidation), and sexual harrassment.[3] Depending on the GP’s experience, interpretation, and personality, the attribution of an incident to one of these levels will differ. The majority (96%) of GPs feels safe during work. This cross-sectional research demonstrates that young and/or female GPs, GPs on out-of-hours duty, and GPs in urban or suburban areas experience more aggression.[4]. Interpretation, and personality, the interpretation of aggressive patient behaviour will differ among doctors
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