Introduction:
In healthcare, workplace violence has been identified as a major public health hazard, with cases being amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The large number of SARS-CoV-2-infected patients required mobilization of a substantial number of resident doctors to support hospitals, increasing their one-on-one exposure with patients. Although they undertook new roles and faced unique challenges, little is known about their workplace experiences during the pandemic.

Objectives:
The objective of the study was to better understand the experiences of resident doctors regarding workplace violence, by (1) exploring any differences before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) existing management and prevention strategies.

Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2021 and 2022 focusing on workplace violence in healthcare settings in high volume COVID units, in four different countries, including hospitals from Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The survey assessed socio-demographic information, workplace violence experience before and during COVID-19, and workplace violence measures. For our objective, a secondary analysis was performed on the sample of healthcare workers from 8 hospitals in Cluj-Napoca, Romania (N=199). Data was collected between April and November 2022.

Results:
Half (N=100, 50.2%) of the participants in the study in Cluj-Napoca were resident doctors. Before COVID-19, two thirds of the residents recognised some type of workplace violence, whilst during the pandemic, the proportion declined to N=57. Resident doctors reported experiencing verbal threat/assault (59.6% before and 54.2% during the pandemic), followed by theft (26.8% before and 19.1% during the pandemic) and physical assault (12.2% before and 14.6% during the pandemic). A dependent t-test for comparing the proportion of verbal violence against resident doctors before and during COVID was conducted (p=0.372) with no significant difference between the two time periods. Out of the 85 respondents, only 32% were aware of an overall workplace violence prevention policy, although there is one in place. As prevention methods, resident doctors suggested training courses, improvements of the safety infrastructure and changes in reporting and addressing workplace violence.

Conclusion:
Based on the results, the pandemic did not have a significant impact on the frequency of workplace violence. Nevertheless, episodes of violence continue to persist, requiring important changes in the prevention and reporting of workplace violence. The input of resident doctors can provide local solutions to increase workplace safety in Cluj-Napoca hospitals.

Keywords: workplace violence, healthcare, resident doctors, public hospitals

Department of Public Health, Faculty of Political, Administration and Communication Sciences, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania - Cluj-Napoca - NA - RomaniaPatricia Marga, Madalina Coman, Diana Dulf