Workplace Violence: Effects on Job Performance and Coping Strategies among Physicians

Background & Objective(s): Workplace violence, an occupational hazard in the healthcare setting, can lead to a variety of adverse consequences for its victims, including physical and psychological ones. It can also bring job strain, job dissatisfaction, and job turnover for health workers. Further, it has also been found that workplace violence influences aspects of employee work status, such as job performance. This study investigated workplace violence, its effects on job performance, and coping strategies among physicians in the city of Tanta, Egypt. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 422 physicians were recruited using a random-cluster sampling technique. For every participant, personal and occupational data, coping strategies against workplace violence, and responses to the workplace violence questionnaire and the job performance scale (JPS) were collected by a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Among the study participants, 56.4% have been exposed to workplace violence, and 79.4% of them have reported that they felt unsafe at work. The majority (85.8%) stated that there were inadequate measures for their protection while working. The respondents’ average score on the JPS among physicians exposed to work-related violence was significantly lower, compared to that of non-exposed (22 ± 3.62 and 24.01 ± 3.88, respectively) (p = 0.003). The most commonly adopted strategy for coping with workplace-related violence was telling one’s colleagues (60.1%) at an individual level and reporting to the administration (36.1%) at the organizational level. Conclusion: A large proportion of physicians in Egypt may be exposed to workplace violence. Although many coping strategies can be adopted against workplace violence, this problem still requires a multidisciplinary approach and community support.