Experiences of occupational violence in Australian urban general practice: a cross-sectional study of GPs.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the prevalence and characteristics of occupational violence in Australian urban general practice, and examine practitioner correlates of violence.


METHODS
Cross-sectional questionnaire survey mailed to all members (n = 1085) of three urban divisions of general practice in New South Wales in August and September 2004. The three divisions were chosen to provide a range of socioeconomic status (SES) demographics.


METHODS
Occupational violence towards general practitioners during the previous 12 months.


RESULTS
528 GPs returned questionnaires (49% response rate). Of these, 63.7% had experienced violence in the previous year. The most common forms of violence were "low level" violence - verbal abuse (42.1%), property damage/theft (28.6%) and threats (23.1%). A smaller proportion of GPs had experienced "high level" violence, such as sexual harassment (9.3%) and physical abuse (2.7%). On univariate analysis, violence was significantly more likely towards female GPs (P < 0.001), less experienced GPs (P = 0.003) and GPs working in a lower SES status area (P < 0.001), and among practice populations encompassing greater social disadvantage (P = 0.006), mental health problems (P < 0.001), and drug- and alcohol-related problems (P < 0.001). Experience of violence was greater for younger GPs (P = 0.005) and those providing after-hours care (P = 0.033 for after-hours home visits). On multivariate analysis, a significant association persisted between high level violence and lower SES area (odds ratio [OR], 2.86), being female (OR, 5.87), having practice populations with more drug-related problems (OR, 5.77), and providing home visits during business hours (OR, 4.76). More experienced GPs encountered less violence (OR, 0.77) for every additional 5 years of practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Occupational violence is a considerable problem in Australian urban general practice. Formal education programs in preventing and managing violence would be appropriate for GPs and doctors-in-training.
Magin
Parker J
PJ
Discipline of General Practice, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia. parker.magin@newcastle.edu.au
Adams
Jon
J
Sibbritt
David W
DW
Joy
Elyssa
E
Ireland
Malcolm C
MC
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*