Workplace violence: a survey of emergency physicians in the state of Michigan

Ann Emerg Med. 2005 Aug;46(2):142-7. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2004.10.010.

Abstract

Study objective: We seek to determine the amount and type of work-related violence experienced by Michigan attending emergency physicians.

Methods: A mail survey of self-reported work-related violence exposure during the preceding 12 months was sent to randomly selected emergency physician members of the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians. Work-related violence was defined as verbal, physical, confrontation outside of the emergency department (ED), or stalking.

Results: Of 250 surveys sent, 177 (70.8%) were returned. Six were blank (3 were from retired emergency physicians), leaving 171 (68.4%) for analysis. Verbal threats were the most common form of work-related violence, with 74.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 68.4% to 81.4%) of emergency physicians indicating at least 1 verbal threat in the previous 12 months. Of the emergency physicians responding, 28.1% (95% CI 21.3% to 34.8%) indicated that they were victims of a physical assault, 11.7% (95% CI 6.9% to 16.5%) indicated that they were confronted outside of the ED, and 3.5% (95% CI 0.8% to 6.3%) experienced a stalking event. Emergency physicians who were verbally threatened tended to be less experienced (11.1 versus 15.1 years in practice; mean difference -4.0 years [95% CI -6.4 to -1.6 years]), as were those who were physically assaulted (9.5 versus 13.1 years; mean difference -3.6 years [95% CI -5.9 to -1.3 years]). Urban hospital location, emergency medicine board certification, or on-site emergency medicine residency program were not significantly associated with any type of work-related violence. Female emergency physicians were more likely to have experienced physical violence (95% CI 1.4 to 5.8) but not other types of violence. Most (81.9%; 95% CI 76.1% to 87.6%) emergency physicians were occasionally fearful of workplace violence, whereas 9.4% (95% CI 5.0% to 13.7%) were frequently fearful. Forty-two percent of emergency physicians sought various forms of protection as a result of the direct or perceived violence, including obtaining a gun (18%), knife (20%), concealed weapon license (13%), mace (7%), club (4%), or a security escort (31%).

Conclusion: Work-related violence exposure is not uncommon in EDs. Many emergency physicians are concerned about the violence and are taking measures, including personal protection, in response to the fear.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Emergency Service, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Fear
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Medical Staff, Hospital / psychology
  • Medical Staff, Hospital / statistics & numerical data*
  • Michigan / epidemiology
  • Security Measures
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Violence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Workplace