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Characteristics of Staff Victims of Psychiatric Patient Assaults: 20-Year Analysis of the Assaulted Staff Action Program

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Abstract

Psychiatric patient assaults on healthcare staff are a worldwide occupational hazard. This present 20-year, retrospective study examined the characteristics of these staff victims in one public-sector, health care system and assessed the psychological support provided to these victims by the post-incident Assaulted Staff Action Program (ASAP). An additional analysis compared the victim characteristics in this same health care system at 10-, 15-, and 20-year intervals. The findings were consistent with earlier, worldwide studies. Staff victims tend to be younger, less formally educated, less experienced, and less trained mental health workers, residential house counselors, and trainees of differing disciplines. ASAP provided needed support to staff victims. Risk management strategies for safety, methodological issues, and the problem of denial in fielding a post-incident crisis intervention program for staff victims were discussed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Worcester State Hospital, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Worcester, MA, USA

    Raymond B. Flannery Jr.

  2. Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA

    Raymond B. Flannery Jr.

  3. University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA

    Raymond B. Flannery Jr.

  4. Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance, 1493 Cambridge Street, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA

    Raymond B. Flannery Jr.

  5. Tewksbury State Hospital, Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Tewksbury, MA, USA

    Valerie LeVitre & Stephany Rego

  6. Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, Tewksbury, MA, USA

    Andrew P. Walker

Authors
  1. Raymond B. Flannery Jr.
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  2. Valerie LeVitre
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  3. Stephany Rego
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  4. Andrew P. Walker
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Raymond B. Flannery Jr..

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Flannery, R.B., LeVitre, V., Rego, S. et al. Characteristics of Staff Victims of Psychiatric Patient Assaults: 20-Year Analysis of the Assaulted Staff Action Program. Psychiatr Q 82, 11–21 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-010-9153-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-010-9153-z

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