Analysis and evaluation of peer group support for doctors in postgraduate training following workplace violence and aggression

Aims and method Workplace violence and aggression toward healthcare staff has a significant impact on the individual, causing self-blame, isolation and burnout. Timely and appropriate support can mitigate harm, but there is little research into how this should be delivered. We conducted multi-spec...

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Main Authors: Rowena Carter, Sharli Paphitis, Sian Oram, Isabel McMullen, Vivienne Curtis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Cambridge University Press 2025-04-01
Series:BJPsych Bulletin
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056469424000329/type/journal_article
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author Rowena Carter
Sharli Paphitis
Sian Oram
Isabel McMullen
Vivienne Curtis
author_facet Rowena Carter
Sharli Paphitis
Sian Oram
Isabel McMullen
Vivienne Curtis
author_sort Rowena Carter
collection DOAJ
description Aims and method Workplace violence and aggression toward healthcare staff has a significant impact on the individual, causing self-blame, isolation and burnout. Timely and appropriate support can mitigate harm, but there is little research into how this should be delivered. We conducted multi-speciality peer groups for London doctors in postgraduate training (DPT), held over a 6-week period. Pre- and post-group burnout questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to evaluate peer support. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistical methods were used to describe the data. Results We found four themes: (a) the experience and impact of workplace violence and aggression on DPT, (b) the experience of support following incidents of workplace violence and aggression, (c) the impact and experience of the peer groups and (d) future improvements to support. DPTs showed a reduction in burnout scores. Clinical implications Peer groups are effective support for DPT following workplace violence and aggression. Embedding support within postgraduate training programmes would improve access and availability.
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issn 2056-4694
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Cambridge University Press
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series BJPsych Bulletin
spelling doaj-art-eae5d58539fa49518854d1eec680bc022025-08-20T03:14:53ZengCambridge University PressBJPsych Bulletin2056-46942056-47082025-04-0149788510.1192/bjb.2024.32Analysis and evaluation of peer group support for doctors in postgraduate training following workplace violence and aggressionRowena Carter0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1789-8921Sharli Paphitis1Sian Oram2https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8704-0379Isabel McMullen3Vivienne Curtis4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5976-525XNational Health Service Executive (formally Health Education England), London, UK South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UKInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UKInstitute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UKNational Health Service Executive (formally Health Education England), London, UK South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UKNational Health Service Executive (formally Health Education England), London, UK South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, UK Aims and method Workplace violence and aggression toward healthcare staff has a significant impact on the individual, causing self-blame, isolation and burnout. Timely and appropriate support can mitigate harm, but there is little research into how this should be delivered. We conducted multi-speciality peer groups for London doctors in postgraduate training (DPT), held over a 6-week period. Pre- and post-group burnout questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were used to evaluate peer support. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistical methods were used to describe the data. Results We found four themes: (a) the experience and impact of workplace violence and aggression on DPT, (b) the experience of support following incidents of workplace violence and aggression, (c) the impact and experience of the peer groups and (d) future improvements to support. DPTs showed a reduction in burnout scores. Clinical implications Peer groups are effective support for DPT following workplace violence and aggression. Embedding support within postgraduate training programmes would improve access and availability. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056469424000329/type/journal_articleViolencedoctorssupportpeersworkplace
spellingShingle Rowena Carter
Sharli Paphitis
Sian Oram
Isabel McMullen
Vivienne Curtis
Analysis and evaluation of peer group support for doctors in postgraduate training following workplace violence and aggression
BJPsych Bulletin
Violence
doctors
support
peers
workplace
title Analysis and evaluation of peer group support for doctors in postgraduate training following workplace violence and aggression
title_full Analysis and evaluation of peer group support for doctors in postgraduate training following workplace violence and aggression
title_fullStr Analysis and evaluation of peer group support for doctors in postgraduate training following workplace violence and aggression
title_full_unstemmed Analysis and evaluation of peer group support for doctors in postgraduate training following workplace violence and aggression
title_short Analysis and evaluation of peer group support for doctors in postgraduate training following workplace violence and aggression
title_sort analysis and evaluation of peer group support for doctors in postgraduate training following workplace violence and aggression
topic Violence
doctors
support
peers
workplace
url https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S2056469424000329/type/journal_article
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