ABSTRACT
Anger is one of the most intense emotions that can be expressed by human beings. We all get angry from time to time for various reasons. Lack of control over an individual’s anger may allow it to escalate and translate into verbal or physical violence. Such behaviour, in the healthcare setting, should never be tolerated regardless of who the perpetrator is or their reasons. One of the main challenges doctors face when communicating with an aggressive patient is to calm them down sufficiently such that they are open to reason and dialogue. An aggressive patient may speak with a loud voice and harsh tone, bellowing their demands to others. Angry patients may feel that their concerns are being dismissed and not attended to. They may have already encountered staff members who have not been sympathetic to their plight. Hence, when speaking to the patient, doctor should try to demonstrate empathy.
