Prevalence and patterns of workplace violence against doctors of North India: a cross-sectional study

Background Workplace violence (WPV) against physicians represents an escalating global concern, with significant implications for India. This phenomenon substantially undermines the mental health, professional morale, and clinical performance of healthcare providers. A comprehensive understanding of the prevalence, patterns, and contextual factors associated with WPV is essential to develop evidence-based prevention and mitigation strategies. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 physicians (100 employed at a tertiary care teaching hospital and 100 in private healthcare settings) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, North India. Data were collected using a pretested, self-administered questionnaire assessing experiences of workplace violence, contributing factors, physicians’ perceptions, and recommended preventive measures. Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 23. Results Workplace violence was reported by 75% of the respondents (95% confidence interval CI: 68.9–81.0%), with verbal abuse representing the most prevalent form (59.33%; 95% CI: 51.4–67.1%). Violence occurred more frequently among male physicians, particularly in private healthcare settings and surgical specialties. A majority of incidents occurred during junior residency and were perpetrated by patients’ relatives (68%) or organized groups (mobs). Notably, only 18% of cases were formally reported by police authorities. Conclusion Workplace violence was highly prevalent among physicians in Uttarakhand, with verbal abuse and mob-related incidents constituting the predominant manifestations. Urgent interventions, including enhanced security measures, structured physician-patient communication programs, and stringent legal enforcement, are necessary to establish a safer and more supportive working environment for healthcare professionals.