Citation

Liu R, Li Y, An Y, Zhang L, An FR, Luo J, Wang A, Zhao YJ, Yuan A, Cheung T, Ungvari GS, Qin MZ, Xiang YT. PeerJ 2021; 9: e12459.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2021, PeerJ)

DOI

10.7717/peerj.12459

PMID

34900420

PMCID

PMC8621782

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Frontline clinicians working in emergency departments (ED) were at disportionate risk of workplace violence (WPV). We investigated the prevalence of WPV and its relationship with quality of life (QOL) in this group of health professionals in China during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: A cross-sectional, online study was conducted. The nine-item Workplace Violence Scale measured WPV.

RESULTS: A total of 1,103 ED clinicians participated in this study. The overall prevalence of WPV against ED clinicians was 29.2% (95% CI [26.5%-31.9%]). Having family/friends/colleagues infected with COVID-19 (Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.82, P = 0.01), current smoking (OR = 2.98, P < 0.01) and severity of anxiety symptoms (OR = 1.08, P < 0.01) were independently and positively associated with WPV, while working in emergency intensive care units (OR = 0.45, P < 0.01) was negatively associated with WPV. After controlling for covariates, clinicians experiencing WPV had a lower global QOL compared to those without (F((1, 1103)) = 10.9,P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of workplace violence against ED clinicians was common in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the negative impact of WPV on QOL and quality of care, timely preventive measures should be undertaken for ED clinicians.

Language: en

Keywords

China; COVID-19; Emergency department; Workplace violence