@article{ref1,
title="Workplace violence toward resident doctors in public hospitals of Syria: prevalence, psychological impact, and prevention strategies: a cross-sectional study",
journal="Human resources for health",
year="2021",
author="Shaaban, Rafea and Alsalkini, Marah and Abdul-Baki, Mohammad-Nasan and AlKhoury, Naseem and Mohamad, Okbah",
volume="19",
number="1",
pages="e8-e8",
abstract="INTRODUCTION: Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers is a common and daily problem in hospitals worldwide. Studies in different countries indicated that  exposure to WPV potentially impacts the psychological status of healthcare workers. However, there is a paucity of studies approaching this issue in the Syrian  healthcare system. <br><br>OBJECTIVES: This study had three objectives: (1) to estimate the  prevalence of violence against resident doctors in Syria, (2) to examine the  association between WPV and resident doctors' psychological stress, sleep quality,  depression, and general health and (3) to suggest approaches to tackle this problem  from the resident doctors' perspectives. <br><br>METHODS: A cross-sectional study was  conducted in 8 out of 14 provinces, and covered 17 out of 56 accessible functioning  hospitals in Syria. Data were collected using anonymous, self-administered  questionnaires during February 2020. A total of 1226 resident doctors volunteered to  participate in the study. Finally, 1127 valid questionnaires were used in the final  data analysis. The overall response rate was 91.92%. <br><br>RESULTS: A total of 955  participants (84.74%) reported exposure to WPV in the 12 months prior to the study. In specific, 84.74% exposed to verbal violence and 19.08% to physical violence. Patients' associates were the predominant aggressors in both verbal and physical  violence (n = 856; 89.63%, n = 178; 82.79%, respectively). Most resident doctors  (87.31%) suggested enacting more legislation to protect doctors as the best solution  to reduce WPV. Verbal and physical violence showed a significant positive  correlation with each item of depression and stress, and a significant negative  correlation with both subjective sleep quality and subjective health. <br><br>CONCLUSION:  Workplace violence against resident doctors in Syria is highly common. Therefore,  policymakers, hospital managers, and supervisors should work collaboratively in  order to minimize WPV and ensure resident doctors' safety and psychophysical  stability.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="1478-4491",
doi="10.1186/s12960-020-00548-x",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12960-020-00548-x"
}