Title |
What Variables Are Associated With an Expressed Wish to Kill a Doctor in Community and Injured Patient Samples?
|
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Published in |
Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, March 2010
|
DOI | 10.1007/s10880-010-9190-7 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Daniel Bruns, David A. Fishbain, John Mark Disorbio, John E. Lewis |
Abstract |
Working in a health care setting has been identified as a primary risk factor for violent assault, which is often perpetrated by patients. Patient dangerousness is a multidimensional phenomenon, which may include violent ideation, homicidal planning, a history of violent acts, or overt threatening behavior. Although the verbal report of thoughts of killing a doctor is only one of many risk factors for patient dangerousness, reports of homicidal ideation are widely regarded as being sufficient to warrant concern, and to indicate a need for further assessment of the patient. In this study, 2264 subjects (1329 healthy community subjects, 158 non-healthy community subjects, and 777 rehabilitation patients) were asked if they had a desire to kill a doctor that they had seen. Subjects responding positively to this item were compared to subjects responding negatively to the item using all available demographic variables and BHI 2 scales using chi-square or t-test. Significant variables (p<.01) were then utilized in a logistic regression to generate a model for this wish. Three variables significantly predicted this wish: the Doctor Dissatisfaction (p<.001) and Borderline (p<.001) scales of the BHI 2, and injury-related litigation status (p=.002). The presence of one of these variables, especially Doctor Dissatisfaction, should prompt a more thorough assessment of potential danger to healthcare workers. |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United Kingdom | 1 | 2% |
Unknown | 46 | 98% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Ph. D. Student | 10 | 21% |
Student > Master | 7 | 15% |
Student > Bachelor | 6 | 13% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 4 | 9% |
Researcher | 4 | 9% |
Other | 8 | 17% |
Unknown | 8 | 17% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Psychology | 16 | 34% |
Medicine and Dentistry | 8 | 17% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 5 | 11% |
Social Sciences | 4 | 9% |
Computer Science | 2 | 4% |
Other | 2 | 4% |
Unknown | 10 | 21% |