Confronting the Silent Crisis: Workplace Violence in Pain Medicine

Pain Matters Podcast Network

Join host Shravani Durbhakula, MD, MPH, MBA, and co-host Mustafa Broachwala, DO, as they discuss a rising, yet often overlooked, issue - workplace violence in healthcare settings, particularly in pain management.

Our featured guest for this episode is Mercy Udoji, MD, CMQ, FASA, pain physician and associate professor at Emory University School of Medicine, and a renowned expert on workplace violence in the medical field. She is the senior author of the 2023 article, "Violence in the Pain Clinic, the Hidden Pandemic". This seminal piece of work shines a light on the escalating incidences of workplace violence against healthcare workers, which has markedly intensified since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also underscores the particular susceptibility of pain clinicians to workplace violence. Lastly, Dr. Udoji discusses strategies to prevent such situations and action we can take when they arise.

We also welcome W. Michael Hooten, M.D., from the Mayo Clinic to share astonishing results from a recent workplace violence survey conducted by AAPM wherein more than 80% of respondents noted they had called security in their practice for a workplace disturbance in the past year.

Tune in to discover:

• Vulnerability of Pain Clinicians: Why are people who treat pain patients particularly susceptible to violence, and how has the pandemic exacerbated this problem?
• The Connection between Patient and Worker Safety: It's a given that healthcare systems prioritize patient safety and outcomes, but does the same attention extend to worker safety?
• Risk Factors: What are the key risk factors that predispose healthcare settings, and especially pain providers, to episodes of violence?
• Predicting Violent Behavior: How can we identify signs of impending violent behavior in the clinic, and what can be done to prevent or mitigate such situations?
• Training Gap: We'll discuss the conspicuous lack of training around workplace violence for pain medicine practitioners.
• Tips for Safety: Dr. Udoji will share practical advice on what to do if you are confronted with a violent situation in your clinic.

Listen now for this critical conversation as we aim to shed light on workplace violence and explore preventive strategies to safeguard ourselves and our peers better.