Aims To determine the type, extent and effects of workplace violence among residents during postgraduate speciality training in various departments of medical schools in Turkey.
Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted in seven medical schools representing all geographical regions of Turkey. All physicians in speciality training in the selected medical schools were asked to complete a semi-structured 'violence questionnaire' addressing the type (emotional, physical and sexual) and extent of violence experienced, the perpetrators of the violence and the victim's reactions to the experience.
Results A total of 1712 residents out of 2442 completed the questionnaire. In all, 68% indicated they had experienced some form of workplace violence, 67% had experienced verbal violence, 16% had experienced physical violence and 3% had experienced sexual violence. The victims' most prevalent reactions to violence included being deeply disturbed but feeling they had to cope with it for the sake of their career (39%), being distressed (26%) but considering that such events are common in all occupations and discounting it and being confused and bewildered and unsure how to respond (19%). The most frequently named perpetrators of verbal violence were relatives/friends of patients (36%) and academic staff (36%), followed by other residents/senior residents (21%), patients (20%), heads of department (13%) and non-medical hospital staff (6%).
Conclusions Physicians in speciality training in medical schools in Turkey are subject to significant verbal, physical or sexual violence. Precautions to prevent such exposure are urgently needed.
C1 [Acik, Yasemin; Deveci, Erhan] Firat Univ, Fac Med, Dept Publ Hlth, TR-23169 Elazig, Turkey.
[Gunes, Gulsen] Inonu Univ, Fac Med, Dept Publ Hlth, Malatya, Turkey.
[Gulbayrak, Canan] Minist Hlth, Reg Directorate Hifzissihha, Erzurum, Turkey.
[Dabak, Sennur] Ondokuz Mayis Univ, Fac Med, Dept Publ Hlth, Samsun, Turkey.
[Saka, Gunay] Dicle Univ Med Fac, Dept Publ Hlth, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
[Vural, Gulsen] Gazi Univ, Sch Nursing, Ankara, Turkey.
[Can, Gunay] Istanbul Univ, Cerrahpasa Med Fac, Dept Publ Hlth, Istanbul, Turkey.
[Bilgin, Nursel Gamsiz] Mersin Univ Med Fac, Dept Forens Med, Mersin, Turkey.
[Dundar, Pinar Erbay] Celal Bayar Univ Med Fac, Dept Publ Hlth, Manisa, Turkey.
[Erguder, Toker] Minist Hlth, Directorate Primary Hlth Care, Ankara, Turkey.
[Tokdemir, Mehmet] Firat Univ, Fac Med, Dept Forens Med, TR-23169 Elazig, Turkey.