Abuse of therapists by patients: A national survey.

A survey of 300 independent practitioners revealed that 81 % experienced at least one incidentof patient physical attack, verbal abuse, or other harassment in private practice, at anotherjob, or both. Verbal abuse was the most frequently reported event. Physical attacks wereabout twice as common in hospitals and clinics as in independent practice. However, otherharassments, such as annoying phone calls and threats to sue, were more common in privatework than at other jobs. Because these types of incidents occur with some frequency, itseems advisable to discuss them and how to prevent or deal with them.