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Assaults by patients on psychiatric trainees: frequency and training issues

University Centre St Jozef Kortenberg, Leuvensesteenweg 517, B3070 Kortenberg, Belgium (e-mail: Guido.Pieters{at}med.kuleuven.ac.be)

Ewoud Speybrouck, Psychiatric Trainee

University Centre St Jozef Kortenberg, Belgium

Véronique De Gucht, Researcher

Department of Clinical Psychology, University Centre St Jozef Kortenberg, Belgium, and Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Leiden University, The Netherlands

Staf Joos, Head of the Department of Clinical Psychology

University Centre St Jozef Kortenberg, Belgium

Declaration of interest

None.

AIMS AND METHOD

To conduct a survey on the frequency and severity of assaults by patients on psychiatric trainees, and the availability of training on managing violent patients; a self-report questionnaire developed in the USA was adapted to the Flemish situation. Data were collected from 99 psychiatric trainees from the Dutch speaking part of Belgium, representing a 60% response rate.

RESULTS

As many as 56% of the respondents had been confronted with at least one physical assault by a patient during their residency, whereas 72% had already been threatened by a patient. Only a small minority had received any training related to patient violence.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

Some formal teaching or training in managing (potentially) violent patients should be incorporated in psychiatric training in Flanders.

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