Workplace violence experienced by doctors working in government hospitals of Karachi.

Workplace violence against Doctors is a serious health and safety concern of the medical community in Karachi. This cross-sectional study has explored the frequency of workplace aggression directed towards doctors in a year. Using convenience sampling, data was collected from 354 doctors working in Civil Hospital, Karachi, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical and Dental College, Abassi Shaheed Hospital and Lyari General Hospital, from 1st to 30th December 2012. Two hundred and sixty five (74.9%) doctors had experienced violence in 2012. Verbal violence was experienced by 247 (93.2%) doctors and physical violence by 40 (15.1%) doctors. One hundred and twenty two out of 265 doctors encountering violence reported property damage. Eight (3%) doctors reported sexual harassment. Attendants were identified as the main perpetrators of aggression. Patients / attendants dissatisfaction with the service provided was identified as the major source of violence. Hospital security and training of doctors in counselling techniques can lead to a reduction in violence.