Background: Mental health professionals are at greater risk than the general population of being stalked, particularly by patients.
Aims: To assess the prevalence of stalking behaviour by patients towards psychiatrists and ascertain patient characteristics.
Method: Semi-structured questionnaire to all psychiatrists (n = 324) working in a large mental health organization.
Results: The response rate was 61% (n = 198). Forty-one doctors (21%) reported having been stalked by patients, the majority being consultants (n = 31; 76%). No sub-speciality was over-represented. Most stalkers (n = 24; 59%) were male with a diagnosis of personality disorder (39%) or major mental illness (34%). Duration of stalking ranged from several weeks to 16 years, and most commonly occurred at work. On average, victims experienced two types of inappropriate contact. Physical threats were made against 14 psychiatrists (34%).
Conclusions: Stalking by patients towards psychiatrists is common and represents an important occupational risk. Formal training programmes and policy development within healthcare organizations may help manage risk.
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