A review of research on the prevalence, antecedents, consequences and prevention of workplace aggression in clinical medical practice

A broad-ranging review of the published research literature was undertaken on workplace aggression in clinical medical practice. Prevalence studies have found that 15-75% of survey respondents reported verbal aggression and 2-29% reported physical aggression in medical practice settings in the previous 6-24 months. In comparison, there was limited published research on the antecedents and consequences of clinician exposure to workplace aggression, and a dearth of published research on the prevention and minimization of workplace aggression in medical practice settings. Future research efforts need to investigate workplace aggression from all sources and across all medical clinician sub-populations in the diverse settings in which they work. Specific attention needs to be given to identifying key risk and protective factors for workplace aggression exposure, including in relation to clinician profiles, the settings and conditions of medical work, and the presence of key aggression prevention and minimization efforts, both individually and in combination. The impact of workplace aggression on clinician health, well-being, performance and work participation remains under-researched. Overall, a more extensive and robust evidence base is required to enable informed decision-making on reducing the likelihood and consequences of workplace aggression in clinical medical practice.