The prevalence of stalking, harassment and aggressive/intrusive behaviours towards general practitioners

Abstract

Health service workers are at increased risk of being stalked. General practitioners (GPs) have the most contact with patients, but there have been no detailed studies of the stalking of GPs. This paper reports a methodologically rigorous survey of stalking, harassment and aggressive/intrusive behaviours amongst a sample of GPs in the UK. A questionnaire was sent to 430 GPs, concerning their experience of unwanted behaviours from patients. Prevalence rates for stalking and short-term harassment were determined in data analysis through application of formalised criteria. The response rate was 45.4%. Overall, 70.3% of GPs had been subjected to one or more of the behaviours under study. Nearly 20% of GPs had been stalked at some point in their careers. A further 20% had suffered short-term harassment. These rates are substantially higher than those for the general population. Further study in this area is required concerning impact and prevention.

Keywords:

• stalking
• harassment
• aggression
• general practitioner
• prevalence