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Physicians

Workplace Violence Against Healthcare Workers in Al-Majmaah City, Saudi Arabia

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Researchers at Majmaah University published a study in 2025, highlighting the prevalence of workplace violence against doctors and nurses in public healthcare facilities in Al-Majmaah city, Saudi Arabia. The study showed that 41.9% of healthcare workers reported experiencing workplace violence, with verbal abuse being the most common form of violence (92.3%). Patients' families were responsible for 48.7% of the violence, followed by patients themselves (43.6%). The study's findings emphasize the need for effective prevention and intervention strategies to ensure a safe working environment for healthcare workers.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study was conducted in public health facilities in Al-Majmaah city, Saudi Arabia, from June to August 2022.
  • A total of 41.9% of healthcare workers reported experiencing workplace violence, with verbal abuse being the most common form of violence (92.3%).
  • Patients' families were responsible for 48.7% of the violence, followed by patients themselves (43.6%).
  • Healthcare workers reported various coping mechanisms, including pretending the incident never happened (23.1%), attempting to stop the perpetrator (23.1%), and protecting themselves (18%).
  • Regarding system satisfaction, 14% remained indifferent, 16% were dissatisfied, and 2% were satisfied.
  • The study found that 15.1% of participants experienced disturbed thoughts or images of the attack, 14% avoided thinking or talking about incidents, and 11.8% were unaffected.

Statistics:

  • 41.9% of healthcare workers reported experiencing workplace violence.
  • 92.3% of incidents involved verbal abuse.
  • 48.7% of violence was committed by patients' families.
  • 43.6% of violence was committed by patients themselves.
  • 58.5% of healthcare workers did not experience physical violence.

Sources:

  • Workplace Violence Against Doctors and Nurses in Public Healthcare Services in AL- Majmaah City, Saudi Arabia. Majalah Kedokteran Bandung, 2025, 57(1):1-9.
  • Majalah Kedokteran Bandung. Universitas Padjajaran.
  • https://doi-org.sdpl.idm.oclc.org/10.15395/mkb.v57.3870 (free version of the journal article is available at this link)

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