Occupational Violence in General Practice: A Whole-of-practice Problem. Results of a Cross-sectional Study

Objective. To examine the experiences of occupational violence in general practitioner (GP) and non-GP staff. Further objectives were to compare prevalence of violence in GP and non-GP staff and to examine levels of apprehension and perceptions of control over violence. Design. Cross-sectional quest...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australian health review 2011-03, Vol.35 (1), p.75-80
Main Authors: Parker J Magin, Jenny May, Patrick McElduff, Susan M Goode, Jon Adams, Georgina L Cotter
Format: Article
Language:
Subjects:
Medical personnel
Physicians (General practice)
Prevention
Violence
Violence against
Violence in the workplace
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Summary:Objective. To examine the experiences of occupational violence in general practitioner (GP) and non-GP staff. Further objectives were to compare prevalence of violence in GP and non-GP staff and to examine levels of apprehension and perceptions of control over violence. Design. Cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Setting. A network of research general practices, New South Wales, Australia. Participants. GPs and non-GP staff - receptionist, practice-management, nursing and allied health staff. Main outcome measure(s). Experience of occupational violence during the previous 12 months. Other outcomes examined were workplace apprehension regarding violence, perception of occupational violence as a problem in general practice, and perception of control over violence in the workplace. Results. A total of 125 questionnaire replies were received (response rate 55%), 59.3% of GPs and 74.6% of non-GPs had experienced work-related violence during the previous 12 months. The difference was not significant (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.20-2.06). Subjects in rural practices were more likely than those in urban practices to have experienced violence (OR 3.79, 95% CI 1.15-12.5). Personal experience of violence (OR 35.9, 95% CI 6.24-207) and a perception that violence is increasing (OR 8.33, 95% CI 1.89-36.6) were associated with apprehension regarding violence at work.
ISSN:0156-5788