Abstract
ABSTRACTBackgroundRising incidents of aggression and violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) is widening the rift between the patients and their caregivers. So, aim of the study was to evaluate the perceptions of healthcare workers (HCWs) and patient's attendants about factors responsible for widespread violence and patient-physician distrust.Materials and methodsAn anonymous, questionnaire-based, cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of one year in a tertiary care teaching institute. Performas, adapted from WHO published questionnaire and translated to local language, were administered separately to HCWs and attendants. Responses generated were collected and analyzed.ResultsOut of 295 HCWs, 11 (3.7%) HCWs faced physical violence, whereas verbal abuse was faced by 147 (50%) HCWs. A higher number of incidents of physical violence (91%) and verbal abuse (64%) were faced by HCWs in the age group of 20-30 years. Verbal abuse was faced by 49.3% of nurses, 53% of junior residents, 61% of senior residents and 36% of consultants. Out of 158 incidents of workplace violence (WPV), maximum occurred in ICUs (62.0%) and emergency (21%). Unexpected death, unexpected complication, extended hospital stay, staff shortage and unexpected bill were some of the factors perceived to be responsible for WPV.ConclusionHCWs commonly face violence from patient's attendants resulting in stressful and fearful environment at the healthcare facility. Dedicated sessions on good communication and counseling for HCWs and better security arrangements at the hospitals are the need of the hour and also in the best interest of HCWs and patients.How to cite this articleSharma S, Gautam PL, Sharma S, Kaur A, Bhatia N, Singh G, et al. Questionnaire-based Evaluation of Factors Leading to Patient-physician Distrust and Violence against Healthcare Workers. Indian J Crit Care Med 2019;23(7):302-309.
Highlights
Study participants were healthcare workers (HCWs) including doctors and staff nurses posted in the intensive care units (ICUs), and doctors visiting the ICUs for daily rounds
On comparing Workplace Violence (WPV) with respect to designation we found that 7 junior residents and 4 nurses faced physical violence, whereas 67(45.6%) nurses, 53 (36.1%) junior residents, 14 (9.5%) senior residents and 13(8.8%) consultants reported to have faced verbal abuse (Fig. 4)
The World Health Organization (WHO) initiated a global campaign for violence prevention charting a plan of action for 2012-2020 asking the member nations to increase individual and institutional capacity for violence prevention and strengthen data collection and research on violence.[9]
Summary
Patient-physician trust has been the basis of medical practice since ancient times. In the recent years rising incidents of aggression and violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) reflect widening rift between the patients and their caregivers. Workplace Violence (WPV) can affect the physical and mental health of victims affecting productivity It results in degradation of the work environment and morale of HCWs. It is believed that 70% to 80% of assaults are not reported.[1]. The present study was conducted to know the prevalence of violence among the HCWs, and to evaluate the perceptions of HCWs and patient’s attendants about various factors responsible for patientphysician distrust and violence against HCWs. Rising incidents of aggression and violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) is widening the rift between the patients and their caregivers. Aim of the study was to evaluate the perceptions of healthcare workers (HCWs) and patient’s attendants about factors responsible for widespread violence and patient-physician distrust.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
