Workplace violence against junior doctors in a tertiary care hospital in Manipur and coping strategies: A mixed-method study

Background Workplace violence is a critical occupational hazard faced by healthcare professionals worldwide, adversely affecting their mental well-being and the quality of healthcare. Assessing the situation and how junior doctors deal with it is critical. We assessed the prevalence of workplace violence against junior doctors in a tertiary care hospital in Manipur and explored coping strategies amongst those who experienced it. Methods A mixed-method study was conducted from October to November 2023 amongst junior doctors. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire and in-depth interviews were conducted amongst those who had experienced workplace violence. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Thematic analysis was done to identify codes, categories and themes. Results Of the 124 participants, 55 (44.4%) had experienced workplace violence. Verbal violence was the most common. It was significantly higher among non-academic junior residents (p=0.005) than among interns and those working shifts (p=0.017). Thematic analysis also showed that perpetrators of violence were mainly patients or their relatives and were caused by miscommunication or lack of supplies. During such incidents, they attempted to avoid the situation or sought help from colleagues, and seeking support and disengagement were crucial in coping with the crisis. Conclusion Nearly half the junior doctors experienced workplace violence. A positive work environment for junior doctors with measures to prevent workplace violence is needed. Effective coping mechanisms are crucial during and after a crisis to navigate the incident and its aftermath.