Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated With Workplace Violence Against General Practitioners in Hubei, China.

Objectives: To assess the prevalence and factors associated with physical and nonphysical violence in a sample of general practitioners (GPs).

Methods: We used a cross-sectional design to collect data from December 2014 to March 2015 with a structured self-administered questionnaire from 1015 GPs in Hubei Province, Central China (response rate, 85.6%). We used a multivariable logistic regression model to identify the predictors associated with workplace violence toward GPs.

Results: Of the respondents, 62.2% of respondents reported exposure to workplace violence in the preceding year, including 18.9% and 61.4% who encountered physical and nonphysical violence, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis suggested that GPs who were male, at a higher professional level, and who had a lower average monthly income were more likely to experience physical violence. Male GPs, less-experienced GPs, and those with administrative responsibility were more likely than their counterparts to encounter nonphysical violence.

Conclusions: This study shows that the prevalence of workplace violence against GPs is high in Hubei, China. Creating a prevention strategy and providing safer workplace environments for GPs should be urgently prioritized.