Prevalence and determinants of workplace violence experienced by physicians in Bangladesh

Abstract Introduction Workplace violence against physicians is a global public health crisis that compromises their well-being and healthcare delivery. In Bangladesh, this problem is increasingly recognized but insufficiently studied. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, characteristics, consequences, predictors of WPV against physicians in healthcare settings of Bangladesh. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted among physicians using a self-administered questionnaire in seven tertiary, four secondary, and two primary care hospitals across Bangladesh. The association between WPV and respondents’ characteristics was measured using Chi-square tests and a multivariate logistic regression model to identify independent predictors. Results Out of 600 participants, 333 (55%) reported violent episodes in the workplace. Verbal abuse (82.9%) was the most common form of violence, followed by physical assault (17.1%). Patient relatives were the main perpetrators (54.4%). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that physicians with less than one year of working experience (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.69; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.64 − 4.44), those working in the emergency department (AOR = 4.40; 95% CI = 2.24−8.66), general surgery (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI = 1.54−6.54), and those working rotating shifts (AOR = 4.11; 95% CI = 2.91−5.79) were at significantly higher odds of experiencing violence than their respective counterparts. Conclusion WPV is a significant occupational hazard for Bangladeshi physicians, with junior doctors, emergency department staff, and shift workers being at the highest risk. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions based on the risks identified in this study. Policymakers should implement measures to address violence in healthcare settings to ensure quality healthcare.