Violence and abuse by patients against staff in GP clinics is a global phenomenon, with long waiting times and refusal to prescribe requested drugs being the main triggers, according to new research. The study, covering 24 countries, found that up to 90% of GP surgery personnel have experienced physical or verbal assault during their careers, with some reporting similar levels within the past year.
The research, led by Shihning Chou, associate professor of forensic psychology at the University of Nottingham, analysed 50 previous studies from countries including the UK, China, Australia, Germany, Ireland, Kuwait and Barbados. It is the first to examine aggression against GP staff as a global issue. The findings indicate that female, younger and less experienced staff, such as receptionists, are most affected.
Long waits for appointments or healthcare were cited as the most common reason for patient aggression, identified by 31% to 73% of GP personnel in prior studies. 'Unmet patient demands,' including refusal to prescribe requested medicines or dissatisfaction with treatment quality, were the second most frequent cause. Some studies suggested that inadequate staff training in professionalism, interpersonal skills or conflict management might also contribute.
Prof Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of General Practitioners, described the widespread abuse as 'extremely distressing' and 'entirely unacceptable.' She noted that some assaults lead GPs to call police or remove perpetrators from their practice lists. Dr Julius Parker, deputy chair of the BMA's GPs committee, emphasised that while GPs are on the frontline dealing with anxious patients, 'no amount of frustration excuses violence.'
Recent UK incidents include a GP attacked with a baseball bat, a man threatening staff with knives, and a patient with Covid coughing over a receptionist after being denied a prescription. In Scotland, Dr Osama Farooq suffered cuts and bruises after an assault and racial abuse outside his surgery, leading him to leave his practice.
