Homicides of psychologists, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, and other health professionals: National Violent Death Reporting System data 2003–2020

ObjectiveHomicide is the extreme endpoint along the continuum of interpersonal violence. Violence in healthcare settings and directed toward healthcare workers has been a growing concern. Analysis of health professionals' homicides is needed to inform prevention interventions.MethodsDecedent nu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of clinical psychology 2023-12, Vol.79 (12), p.2932-2946
Main Authors: Robiner, William N., Barnes, Rachel D., Freese, Rebecca L., Palmer, Brooke, Kim, Michael H.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Death & dying
Dentists
Health services
Homicide
Medical personnel
Murders & murder attempts
Nurses
Pharmacists
Physicians
Prevention
Professions
Protective factors
Psychiatrists
Psychologists
Social workers
Victims
Violence
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Summary:ObjectiveHomicide is the extreme endpoint along the continuum of interpersonal violence. Violence in healthcare settings and directed toward healthcare workers has been a growing concern. Analysis of health professionals' homicides is needed to inform prevention interventions.MethodsDecedent numbers, age, and sex in the National Violent Death Reporting System are reported for 10 types of health professionals: advance practice registered nurses, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, physicians, physician assistants, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and veterinarians.ResultsBetween 2003 and 2020, 944 homicides of these professionals were reported to the NVDRS. Nearly 80% of victims were women; 53% of homicides involved guns. Nurses, social workers, physicians, and pharmacists comprised the most victims. In 2020, nurses, social workers, pharmacists, and psychologists had the highest homicide rates relative to their workforce size. Few of these homicides were related to professionals' work. The number of homicides within these professions correlated highly with the size of professions' workforces.ConclusionsHealth professionals' homicides constitute a small proportion of US homicides generally at lower rates than seen in the general population. Age is likely one of the protective factors. Future, more comprehensive data will provide greater insights into emerging trends to inform strategies to mitigate homicide risk in health professionals. Prevention needs to go beyond healthcare settings and address societal roots of violence.
ISSN:0021-9762
1097-4679
DOI:10.1002/jclp.23589