Open AccessRadiographers at risk of assault
Author(s) -
Caruana E
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
radiographer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.484
H-Index - 18
eISSN - 2051-3909
pISSN - 0033-8273
DOI - 10.1002/j.2051-3909.2005.tb00031.x
Subject(s) - assertiveness , aggression , workplace violence , verbal abuse , psychology , identification (biology) , medicine , nursing , suicide prevention , family medicine , medical emergency , clinical psychology , poison control , psychiatry , social psychology , botany , biology
Purpose To identify the types and causes of violence towards radiographers by the patient and or relatives/friends. To determine actions to minimise these incidents. Methods Questionnaires were distributed to radiographers in New South Wales, Australia. The sample group was originally obtained from the Australia Institute of Radiography then the University of Sydney's NSW clinical database. The questions asked related to violence towards radiographers – experienced or observed, triggers for the violence and responses to the events. Results The survey responses allowed the identification of violence into various categories. To determine the cause of violence (these responses were placed into two groups: patient related and employer related); to establish how the radiographer/management handle these incidents. The most frequent type of violence by the patient and or relatives/friends towards radiographers was verbal abuse, followed by threats of physical aggression. Conclusions The best way for the radiographer to deal with violence is to remain calm yet assertive, by taking control and reasoning with the patient.