Workplace Violence and Safety Perception Among ENT Physicians in Turkey

Perceived Safety and Security Against Workplace Violence Among Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Physicians: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Survey Study in Turkey

This multicenter, cross-sectional survey study aims to evaluate the perceived level of safety and security against workplace violence among otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (ENT-HNS) physicians in Turkey. The study investigates the association between exposure to workplace violence and perceived safety, as well as the adequacy of institutional support mechanisms. Data will be collected through an anonymous online questionnaire distributed nationwide. The findings are expected to contribute to awareness and the development of preventive strategies and institutional safety policies for healthcare professionals.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Occupational Health; Workplace Violence; Perceived Safety; Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Physicians
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Online Survey Questionnaire

Detailed Description

Workplace violence against healthcare professionals represents a significant occupational hazard, particularly for physicians working in high-risk clinical settings. ENT-HNS physicians frequently encounter high patient volumes, emergency conditions, and invasive procedures, which may increase the risk of violent incidents.

This non-interventional, cross-sectional study will be conducted using an anonymous, online survey distributed to ENT-HNS specialists and residents across Turkey. The questionnaire includes demographic and professional characteristics, workload indicators, exposure to different types of workplace violence (verbal, physical, and threats), reporting behaviors, and perceived safety levels measured using the "Healthcare Professionals' Safety and Security Perception Scale Against Violence."

The study involves minimal risk, limited to possible psychological discomfort due to recalling prior experiences of violence. No identifying information will be collected, and all data will be stored securely. Results will be reported in aggregate form only.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 450

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ENT-HNS) specialist and resident physicians aged 18 years or older working in Turkey who voluntarily participate in the study.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Licensed ENT-HNS specialist or resident physician
• Aged 18 years or older
• Willingness to participate and provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Physicians from other medical specialties
• Surveys with more than 20% missing data

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
ENT Physicians; Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (ENT-HNS) specialist and resident physicians aged 18 years or older working in Turkey who voluntarily participate in the study.	Other: Online Survey Questionnaire; An anonymous, web-based questionnaire administered via Google Forms to assess demographic characteristics, workload, exposure to workplace violence, reporting behaviors, and perceived safety against workplace violence using a validated safety perception scale.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Perceived Safety Score Against Workplace Violence	Total score obtained from the Healthcare Professionals' Safety and Security Perception Scale Against Violence, a self-administered questionnaire assessing perceived safety and security in the workplace. The scale consists of items scored on a Likert-type scale, with a minimum score of 0 and a maximum score of 10. Higher scores indicate a higher perceived level of safety and security against workplace violence.	At survey completion (single time point, baseline assessment)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Number of Participants Reporting Exposure to Workplace Violence	Self-reported exposure to workplace violence, categorized as verbal violence, physical violence, and threats, assessed using a structured questionnaire developed for this study.	At survey completion (single time point, baseline assessment)
Correlation Between Perceived Safety Score and Exposure to Workplace Violence	Correlation between: Perceived Safety Score measured by the Healthcare Professionals' Safety and Security Perception Scale Against Violence (continuous total score, range 0-10), and Exposure to workplace violence (yes/no), assessed via self-reported questionnaire.	At survey completion (single time point, baseline assessment)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Saglik Bilimleri Universitesi

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): April 2, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): September 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: December 16, 2025
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: December 29, 2025
• First Posted (Actual): December 31, 2025

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): April 22, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 21, 2026
• Last Verified: April 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Turkey; Otolaryngology; Healthcare professionals; Workplace violence; Safety perception
• Other Study ID Numbers: Sumeyra Doluoglu (Other Identifier: University of Health Sciences, Ankara Etlik City Hospital)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

IPD Plan Description

Individual participant data will not be shared.

De-identified data may be available from the corresponding investigator upon reasonable request, subject to ethics committee approval.

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No