Exposure to aggression at work in the health care and public service sectors
Drabek, M.; Merecz, D.; Mościcka, A.
Medycyna Pracy 58(4): 299-306
2007
ISSN/ISBN: 0465-5893 PMID: 18041199 Document Number: 607896
Background: The aim of the study was to assess the frequency and forms of violent behavior against nurses and service sector workers. Material and Methods: The subjects under the study were 1163 nurses and 391 service sector workers (public transport and postal services) aged 19-63 years. Subjects were asked to fill in the survey questionnaire "Exposure to Aggressior", which consists of 32 items and allows for assessing the frequency of acts of aggression (both physical and psychical) against employees in a one year period. Results: Clients and patients were the most common source of aggression in the group of employees under study; around 90% of them experienced various forms of verbal abuse. Every second employee was the subject of supervisor's aggression. It was also found that more than 20% of public transport workers and around 14% of nurses were physically abused by their clients or patients. The collected data show that aggressive behaviors at work is a serious and challenging problem that may affect the performance and health of employees.