An Australian study has proposed that many GPs are being affected by violent behavior, which is mostly shown by the patients.

A team of researchers from the Monash University analyzed the height of aggression faced by 9449 doctors in a year. They affirmed that the junior doctors were mostly the ones, who experienced aggression.

Those serving as International Medical Graduates in general practice were more commonly the victim of hostility, with 63% experienced aggression shown by patients, in comparison to 52% non-IMGs, who complained the same.

Nevertheless, there was an increase in the number of cases of physical violence, as more GPs and GP registrars suffered the ill-treatment. Further, the male GPs had to face more of such situations, in comparison to the female GPs.

The study report further detailed that the new specialists and non-specialists, who were still going through their training process, were also a frequent target, with twice the cases as that reported by GPs.

70% of the GPs had to come across either a verbal or written form of aggression.

Researchers said, "Workplace aggression in medicine is a significant professional, occupational safety and public health issue, as it has been linked to doctors' loss of confidence or enthusiasm in treating patients, and increased medical errors".