The Status of Violence among the Doctors and Its Relationship to Authoritarianism, Aggression and Personality Characteristics

Lim, Ki Young; Cho, Sun Mi; Song, Ho Jeong

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to inquire about the present status of violence among doctors. It also examined the relationship between the violent act and authoritarianism, aggression and the offenders personality characteristics. METHODS: 93 doctors (22 professors, 33 residents, and 33 medical students) participated through survey questionnaires and standardized scales including Eysenck Type A Questionnaire, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Korean Version Authoritarianism Scale, and Aggression Questionnaire. RESULTS: 51.6% of the subjects experienced abusive words from other doctors and 11.8% experienced physical violence. 18.3% of the subjects inflicted abusive words on other physicians. Most of the offenders were superiors of the victims. Offenders experienced abusive words from other doctors significantly more than non-offenders. Among the respondents, residents showed a higher score in the Aggression Questionnaire. There was no difference between the offenders and the victims on authoritarianism, aggression and personality scales. CONCLUSION: Verbal and physical violence among doctors is common. Almost all offenders were superiors of the victims and there was no official system set up to prevent or manage violence among doctors. A campaign to rid of violence in the medical field is strongly needed.