AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE TOWARDS MEDICAL DOCTORS AND NURSES IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION

Objective: to examine the frequency, possible associated factors & consequences of workplace violence towards doctors and nurses in a public healthcare facility in Lahore, thereby providing a basis for appropriate intervention. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective exploratory cross sectio...

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Main Authors: NAZISH IMRAN, Muhammad Hassaan Pervez, Rizwan Farooq, Aisha Rukham Asghar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Khyber Medical University 2013-11-01
Series:Khyber Medical University Journal
Online Access:https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/11811
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author NAZISH IMRAN
Muhammad Hassaan Pervez
Rizwan Farooq
Aisha Rukham Asghar
author_facet NAZISH IMRAN
Muhammad Hassaan Pervez
Rizwan Farooq
Aisha Rukham Asghar
author_sort NAZISH IMRAN
collection DOAJ
description Objective: to examine the frequency, possible associated factors & consequences of workplace violence towards doctors and nurses in a public healthcare facility in Lahore, thereby providing a basis for appropriate intervention. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective exploratory cross sectional study in a public sector hospital in Lahore, employing self-administered questionnaire to collect data on various aspects of workplace violence against doctors and nurses, in 12 months preceding the study. The sample covered 164 respondents (response rate 65.6 %). Suggestions for restricting future violent incidents were also sought. The data was analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 17. Results: More than 2/3rd of the respondents (n=121/164, 73.8%) were the victims of violence in the preceding 12 months with verbal abuse (n=104/121, 86%) being the main aggression type encountered. Only 72/121 (59.5%) victims of violence reported the violence and majority of incidents (n=29/72, 40.3%) were reported to colleagues only. “No previous action” (73%) was the commonest reasons cited for not reporting the incidents. Workers exposed to violence & aggression, experienced high level of psychological distress. Most common assailants were patients’ relatives (n=86/121, 71%) followed by patient themselves (n=37/121, 30.5%). Overcrowding and lack of security were cited as the main reasons for such incidents. Conclusion: Health care workers in public sector hospital setting in Lahore are frequently exposed to aggression and violence & it is associated with many adverse consequences including high level of stress. Appropriate preventive measures including occupational support are required to make hospitals safer environments.
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spelling doaj.art-ca82bc19a1b44e4cbc9be4b8fb0387682022-12-21T17:58:44ZengKhyber Medical UniversityKhyber Medical University Journal2305-26432305-26512013-11-015417918411811AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE TOWARDS MEDICAL DOCTORS AND NURSES IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATIONNAZISH IMRAN0Muhammad Hassaan Pervez1Rizwan Farooq2Aisha Rukham Asghar3King Edward Medical UniversityKing Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital Lahore.King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital. Lahore.King Edward Medical University/Mayo Hospital LahoreObjective: to examine the frequency, possible associated factors & consequences of workplace violence towards doctors and nurses in a public healthcare facility in Lahore, thereby providing a basis for appropriate intervention. Methodology: We conducted a retrospective exploratory cross sectional study in a public sector hospital in Lahore, employing self-administered questionnaire to collect data on various aspects of workplace violence against doctors and nurses, in 12 months preceding the study. The sample covered 164 respondents (response rate 65.6 %). Suggestions for restricting future violent incidents were also sought. The data was analyzed using the statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 17. Results: More than 2/3rd of the respondents (n=121/164, 73.8%) were the victims of violence in the preceding 12 months with verbal abuse (n=104/121, 86%) being the main aggression type encountered. Only 72/121 (59.5%) victims of violence reported the violence and majority of incidents (n=29/72, 40.3%) were reported to colleagues only. “No previous action” (73%) was the commonest reasons cited for not reporting the incidents. Workers exposed to violence & aggression, experienced high level of psychological distress. Most common assailants were patients’ relatives (n=86/121, 71%) followed by patient themselves (n=37/121, 30.5%). Overcrowding and lack of security were cited as the main reasons for such incidents. Conclusion: Health care workers in public sector hospital setting in Lahore are frequently exposed to aggression and violence & it is associated with many adverse consequences including high level of stress. Appropriate preventive measures including occupational support are required to make hospitals safer environments.https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/11811
spellingShingle NAZISH IMRAN
Muhammad Hassaan Pervez
Rizwan Farooq
Aisha Rukham Asghar
AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE TOWARDS MEDICAL DOCTORS AND NURSES IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
Khyber Medical University Journal
title AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE TOWARDS MEDICAL DOCTORS AND NURSES IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
title_full AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE TOWARDS MEDICAL DOCTORS AND NURSES IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
title_fullStr AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE TOWARDS MEDICAL DOCTORS AND NURSES IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
title_full_unstemmed AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE TOWARDS MEDICAL DOCTORS AND NURSES IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
title_short AGGRESSION AND VIOLENCE TOWARDS MEDICAL DOCTORS AND NURSES IN A PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FACILITY IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN: A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION
title_sort aggression and violence towards medical doctors and nurses in a public health care facility in lahore pakistan a preliminary investigation
url https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/11811
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