Prevalence and physicians’ perception of workplace violence preventive measures in two Egyptian public hospitals

Abstract

Type II Workplace violence (WPV), in which the healthcare staff is attacked by the patients or their relatives/friends, is a significant issue in healthcare, impacting healthcare quality, worker safety, and organizational performance. Although studied frequently, further studies are needed in non-university hospital settings and departments other than the emergency. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of physical and verbal type II WPV against physicians, identify the circumstances of the last incidents, and evaluate existing preventive measures from the physicians’ perspective. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, recruiting a convenience sample of 324 physicians from one Health Insurance Organization (HIO) and one Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP) hospital in Alexandria (183 and 141 physicians, respectively). Data collection took place between August and November 2023 using a structured pre-validated self-administered questionnaire in English. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used for data analysis. Verbal and physical WPV were reported by 61.4% and 8.3% of participants, respectively. Exposure was significantly associated with age group (30–40), single physicians, and residents’ position (p < 0.05). The patient’s relatives were the main aggressors. Physical violence was more common during the evening, while verbal violence was frequent in the morning. Emergency departments (EDs) were the primary sites of violence. Prevalent triggers included refusal of treatment, patient conditions, work overload, and long waiting times. Most incidents went unreported due to negligence and ignorance of reporting procedures. The HIO hospital showed better security measures, workplace procedures, staff training, and organizational support, while the MOHP hospital had better adequacy of staffing and resources. WPV is highly prevalent among the studied physicians, particularly in emergency settings and among junior staff. Institutional adoption of OSHA-based WPV prevention protocols remains inadequate, highlighting the need for systemic reform.