Abuse in theworkplace: experience of specialist registrars

AIMS AND METHOD A survey was conducted to determine the experience of verbal and physical abuse among specialist registrars and the availability of training on managing abusive patients. A self-report questionnaire was sent to all specialist registrars working in the Northern Deanery. RESULTS Completed surveys were received from 30 out of the 49 trainees (61% response rate). Twenty-three respondents (77%) reported being abused; all reported verbal abuse and 2 (9%) reported physical abuse. The experience of trainees of abuse differed betweenWhite doctors and those from other ethnic groups. The majority of trainees had received no training to deal with abuse. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS In view of the high prevalence of abuse experienced by trainees, interventions to prevent both verbal and physical abuse should be identified. There should also be formal support for managing abuse and improved recording of abusive incidents.