Workplace Violence Among Frontline Clinicians in Emergency Departments Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract Background: Frontline clinicians working in the emergency department (ED) were at disportionate risk of workplace violence (WPV). This study investigated the prevalence of WPV and its association on quality of life (QOL) among this population in China during the COVID-19 pandemic.Results: The overall prevalence of WPV was 29.2% (95%CI: 26.5%-31.9%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that having family/friends/colleagues infected with COVID-19 (OR=1.81, P=0.01), current smoking status (OR=3.24, P<0.01) and severity of anxiety symptoms (OR=1.13, P<0.01) were positively associated with WPV. Working in inpatient ED units (OR=0.45, P<0.01) was negatively associated with WPV. After controlling for covariates, clinicians experiencing WPV had a lower overall QOL compared to those without (F (1, 1103) =14.2, P<0.01).Conclusions: Prevalence of workplace violence was common among ED clinicians in China during the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the negative impact of WPV on QOL and care quality, timely preventive measures should be undertaken for ED clinicians.