Citation

Rashid A. Br. J. Gen. Pract. 2016; 66(648): 374.

Affiliation

NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow in General Practice, University of Cambridge, Cambridge. E-mail: mar74@medschl.cam.ac.uk, mar74@Dr_A_Rashid.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Royal College of General Practitioners)

DOI

10.3399/bjgp16X685933

PMID

27364668

Abstract

Emergency primary care typically takes place in settings far more isolated than hospitals and often in patient’s own homes. It also generally comprises far fewer staff than secondary care and in contrast with conventional primary care, involves unknown patients. Although previous research has shown that incidents of aggression are common, most studies have focused on patient characteristics and the work environment.

A Norwegian team recently conducted a focus group study with nurses and doctors about their experiences of violence in emergency primary care, exploring particularly patient–professional interactions.1 The three major themes regarding these interactions were unmet needs, involuntary assessment, and unsolicited touch. The authors conclude that aggression is likely to arise in situations where patients’ needs or personal borders are invalidated and believe the struggle for recognition in the interaction is particularly important. They suggested these should be better covered in professional education programmes...

Language: en