Knowledge and attitudes of healthcare professionals towards working in psychiatric and forensic settings in Saudi Arabia

2^nd International Conference on Forensic Research and Technology

October 07-09, 2013 Hampton Inn Tropicana, Las Vegas, NV, USA

Saad Alghanim

Accepted Abstracts: J Forensic Res

Abstract :

Health professionals such as physicians and nurses who work in psychiatric hospitals or forensic settings are at high risk to become a victim of patient aggression. There is little research in this area in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study was set to explore health professionals? knowledge and attitudes towards working in psychiatric and forensic settings. The study used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data from physicians and nurses who work in psychiatric hospitals in Riyadh city. In addition to demographic characteristics, the questionnaire was designed to capture data on knowledge and attitudes about working in psychiatric and forensic settings. Moreover, the study collected data on how physicians and nurses deal with violence and aggression. One-hundred and twelve questionnaires were successfully collected from respondents. The data were presented and analyzed in a descriptive fashion. The majority of subjects reported that they had experienced some sort of aggression. There was discrepancy in the knowledge and attitudes of respondents toward coping with aggression. The study identified that such discrepancy is attributed to a number of socio-demographic and organizational characteristics. Moreover, the study demonstrated that the majority of respondents were unwilling to continue working in the psychiatric and forensic settings. Dealing with patient aggression in psychiatric hospitals or forensic settings is a general challenge for health professionals. Health workers need to acquire knowledge about aggression, awareness of contributing problems and self-confidence in dealing with aggressive subjects. Management should establish necessary policies and procedures that ensure the safety of workers in psychiatric and forensic settings.

Biography :

Saad Alghanim has completed his Ph.D. from The University of Birmingham, UK in health services management. Recently, he is the Chair of Health Administration Department at King Saud University. He has published more than 20 papers in reputed journals in the area of health and hospital administration.