Violence against medical staff: prevalence and effects of violence against psychiatrists in Kuwait

ABSTRACT

To determine the prevalence and effects of violence against psychiatrists in Kuwait. Questionnaire-based study. Hospital for Psychological Medicine, Kuwait. All the consenting psychiatrists working in the only psychiatric hospital in the country were administered two questionnaires; a 12-item frequency-weighted questionnaire to measure the rates, frequency, and severity of violence and another 5-item, duration-weighted questionnaire to measure the effects of violence. 1] The frequency and the type of the violent incidents and 2] the after effects of violence on the victim, over the past one year. Fifty-three [69%] out of 77 psychiatrists completed and returned the questionnaires. Fifty-one [96%] psychiatrists reported having experienced one or another kind of violent incident; twenty-three [49%] experienced physical violence involving a single act of violence and another nineteen [36%] were subjected to physical violence involving multiple assaults or use of a weapon or a gun. The consequences of violence, in order of frequency, included flashbacks [53%], taking time off [41%], fearfulness [32%], and sleeplessness [26%]. The prevalence and severity of violence against psychiatrists are higher than the emergency department [ED] doctors but after-effects of violence were more severe amongst the ED doctors. Introduction of formal protocols, documentation of violent incidents, prosecution of offenders, and organizational support are some of the measures likely to help bring safety at workplace. In view of the small sample size, firm conclusions are difficult to draw