1044 responses from medical doctors registered with the General Medical Council

Results

1. The perception of physical assault on doctors by patients and/or their relatives is of growing concern to you in your professional?

Response (q1046)	N	%
Strongly agree	204	19.54
Agree	594	56.9
Disagree	192	18.39
Strongly disagree	20	1.92
No view	34	3.26

Total responses - 1044

2. The actual threat of physical assault on doctors by patients and/or their relatives is of growing concern to you in your professional?

Response (q1047)	N	%
Strongly agree	156	14.94
Agree	535	51.05
Disagree	282	27.01
Strongly disagree	25	2.39
No view	48	4.6

Total responses - 1044

3. When have you been physically assaulted by a patient or their relative in your professional capacity in the workplace? (Select all that apply)

Response (q1048)	N	%
In 2001	24	2.32
In 2000	77	7.45
In 1999	65	6.29
In 1998	40	3.87
In 1997	44	4.26
In 1996	79	7.65
Not assaulted	792	76.67

Total responses - 1044

4. When have you been physically assaulted by a patient or their relative in your professional capacity outside your workplace? (Select all that apply)

Response (q1049)	N	%
In 2001	2	0.21
In 2000	12	1.23
In 1999	18	1.85
In 1998	8	0.82
In 1997	15	1.54
In 1996	24	2.46
Not assaulted	909	93.23

Total responses - 1044

5a. In the most recent physical assault, in your estimation, was the assault provoked by:

Response (q1050)	N	%
A medically related condition (e.g., hypoglycaemia)	90	25.94
An unrelated medical problem (e.g., patient had to wait)	111	31.99
Other	14	42.07

Total responses - 347

5b. What was the nature of your injuries as a result of the most recent physical assault? (Select all that apply)

Response (q1052)	N	%
Not injured	240	66.67
Bruising	75	20.83
Lacerations	8	2.22
Sprains and strains	5	1.39
Broken bones	0	0.00
Internal injuries	1	0.28
Other	47	13.06

Total responses - 376

5c. Which of the following of your personal effects were damaged as a result of the most recent physical assault? (Select all that apply)

Response (q1054)	N	%
No damage	263	72.25
Clothing	37	10.16
Watch	95	24.7
Spectacles	15	4.12
Professional equipment	17	4.67
Other	40	10.99

Total responses - 467

5d. How much time off work did you need to take as a result of the most recent physical attack?

Response (q1056)	N	%
No time off work	361	96.27
1 day	7	1.87
2-7 days	6	1.60
1-2 weeks	0	0.00
2-4 weeks	0	0.00
5-12 weeks	0	0.00
More than 12 weeks	1	0.27

Total responses - 375

5e. Did you make use of any counselling services to enable you to come to terms with the trauma involved?

Response (q1057)	N	%
Yes	4	1.09
No	363	98.91

Total responses - 367

5f. If you made use of counselling, was it organised or paid for by:

Response (q1058)	N	%
Your employer	1	2.5
You	2	5.0
Your employer and you	0	0.0
Other	37	92.5

Total responses - 40

5g. For how many weeks did you have counselling?

Response (q1060)	N	%
1-2 weeks	4	66.67
3-4 weeks	0	0.0
5-6 weeks	1	16.67
7-12 weeks	1	16.67
More than 12 weeks	0	0.00

Total responses - 6

6. Have you, in the course of your duties, had any drugs, medical or computer equipment etc. stolen from your ‘Doctors Bag’ outside your workplace within the last year while working in a professional capacity?

Response (q1062)	N	%
Nothing stolen	847	89.92
Drugs	7	0.74
Syringes	0	0.00
Prescriptions	11	1.2
Medical equipment	26	2.76
Computer equipment	13	1.38
Mobile telephone	17	1.80
Medical equipment	21	2.23

Total responses - 932

7. What was the estimated total value of items stolen?

Response (q1064)	N	%
0-£10	97	46.19
£10-£50	8	3.18
£51-£100	14	6.67
£101-£250	23	10.95
£251-£1,000	24	11.43
More than £1,000	7	3.33
Don't know	37	17.62

Total responses - 210