Assaults by patients on psychiatric residents at three training sites

Aggression towards clinicians within Opiate Substitution Treatment (OST) services: A survey of service providers

Background

High levels of aggression towards staff in healthcare settings have been reported. It seems likely that workers in Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) would be at increased risk of adverse events and their consequences.

Objectives

This study aimed to establish if practitioners who provide OST are experiencing negative outcomes, specifically aggression, distress, and burnout, and to identify if workload and professional affiliation were associated with these risks.

Methods

A survey was conducted of OST practitioners in a single geographical region of New Zealand (population approx. 344,000). The survey asked for demographics (including caseloads), Perception of Patient Aggression Scale New Zealand Revision (POPAS-NZ), Kessler 10 (K10), Short Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Interview (SPRINT), and Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory (aMBI) and two qualitative questions asking about the best and worst aspects of working in OST.

Results

All recorded OST workers in the region (n = 181) were invited to participate, 95 practitioners responded to the survey (52.4%). This group included pharmacists, doctors, nurses, social workers and addiction workers. Results indicated aggression, distress, and burnout were being experienced by practitioners. Number of patients seen by a practitioner significantly increased risk of aggression (F(1,90) = 14.14, p < 0.001). Psychiatrists were the most at risk profession (p = 0.016). Burnout responses were high for around 20% of practitioners, with low numbers meeting criteria for distress and PTSD. Positive things about working in OST were relationships with patients, appreciating patient outcomes and positive team environments. Negative aspects were patient behaviours, maintaining empathy, and, administration tasks.

Conclusions

Aggression was a workplace hazard for OST clinicians. Low rates of distress and PTSD symptoms were reported and some evidence of practitioner burnout. Practitioners reported positive relationships, making a difference and teamwork may have been improving this area of mental health work.

Prevalence of intimidation, harassment, and discrimination among resident physicians: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of intimidation, harassment, and discrimination (IHD) reported by resident physicians during their training, to identify factors associated with reported IHD, and to identify adverse sequalae associated with IHD.

METHODS

This review followed the PRISMA guidelines. Eight electronic databases were searched for cross-sectional studies reporting the prevalence of IHD among resident physicians. Prevalence estimates were pooledacross studies using random-effects meta-analysis, with variance stabilization using Tukey double arcsine transformation. Heterogeneity was assessed with forest plots, the I ² statistic, subgroup analyses, and multivariate meta-regression.

RESULTS

52 cross-sectional studies were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of IHD was 64.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 51.0-77.1). Verbal, physical, and sexual IHD were the most common forms of IHD reported by residents. Training status (55.5%), gender (41.7%), and ethnicity (20.6%) were the most commonly cited risk factors for IHD. The most common sources of IHD were relatives/friends of patients, nurses, and patients (cited by 50.7%, 47.8, and 41.7%, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of IHD among resident physicians is high and associated with multiple negative outcomes, including burnout. Despite the availability of multiple anti-IHD interventions, reports of IHD appear to be rising in many residency programs.

A systematic review of the prevalence of patient assaults against residents

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to systematically review the literature on the prevalence of patient assaults against residents in all specialties, and to identify curricula that address this issue.

METHODS

The authors searched published English-language literature using PubMed and Scopus databases using key terms including "patient," "assaults," "threats," "violence," "aggression," and "residents." A separate search to identify curricula used the same terms in combination with key words including "curriculum," "didactics," and "course." Bibliographies of studies found by electronic searches were also searched manually.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 7 were conducted on psychiatry residents alone, 6 assessed assaults on residents in nonpsychiatric specialties, and 2 reported cross-specialty data. The prevalence of assaults was defined as the percentage of residents who have experienced at least one assault. The prevalence of physical assaults on residents was 38% in surgery, 26% in emergency medicine, 16% to 40% in internal medicine, 5% to 9% in pediatrics, and 25% to 64% in psychiatry. All studies were cross-sectional; none collected data prospectively. Definitions of assault were heterogeneous or not specified. Few of the assaults were reported to clinical supervisors or training directors, and no programs had a formal reporting process. Approximately 21% to 79% of psychiatry residents and 30% of residents in other specialties had received some training on how to manage violent patients. We found no descriptions of formal curricula for managing the possibility of patient violence against residents or for preparing for the aftermath.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the data are limited, assaults by patients are commonly experienced by residents in training. There is a paucity of information and curricula that pertain to reducing the prevalence of these incidents and to addressing potential psychologic consequences, especially in nonpsychiatric specialties.

Management of the acutely violent patient

Violence in the work place is a new but growing problem for our profession. It is likely that at some point a psychiatrist will be confronted with a potentially violent patient or need to assess a violent patient. Understanding predictors and associated factors in violence as well as having a clear and well-defined strategy in approaching and dealing with the violent patient, thus, are crucial. Ensuring patient, staff, and personal safety is the most important aspect in the management of a violent patient. All of the staff must be familiar with management strategies and clear guidelines that are implemented and followed when confronted with a violent patient. The more structured the approach to the violent patient, the less likely a bad outcome will occur. Manipulating one's work environment to maximize safety and understanding how to de-escalate potentially mounting violence are two steps in the approach to the violent patient. Restraint, seclusion, and psychopharmacologic interventions also are important and often are necessary components to the management of the violent patient.