Workplace Violence Experienced by Clinical Students in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Exposure to workplace violence can adversely impact the performance and skills of clinical students as they prepare to enter the healthcare system as specialized professionals. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to determine the prevalence of violence directed at clinical students during their clinical placements in Iran and to describe their related experiences. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, SID, and Magiran databases to identify all relevant studies examining workplace violence among clinical students in Iranian medical schools. Data were synthesized both descriptively and through meta-analysis. Prevalence data were extracted and pooled using random and quality effects models. Separate analyses were performed based on the type of violence, the source of violence, and the affected groups. Results Fifteen studies involving a total of 4,785 clinical students were included in the meta-analyses. The data exhibited substantial heterogeneity. Pooled prevalence rates ranged from 0.06% for sexual violence to 66.6% for verbal violence. Workplace violence was most frequently perpetrated by patients’ relatives (40%) and patients themselves (37%). Conclusion Violence against clinical students during clinical internships is common and poses significant physical and psychological risks. This study highlights the urgent need to implement multifaceted strategies to prevent workplace violence and to better prepare clinical students to manage violent incidents, respond appropriately, and report such events. Given the particularly high prevalence of verbal violence, efforts should also focus on fostering a culture of respect and improving verbal communication at the community level.