Dealing with the violent patient. Management strategies to avoid common errors.

Knowledge of the specific warning signs that may presage violence allows the physician to comprehensively evaluate the potentially dangerous patient and proceed carefully with appropriate intervention. The physician must strive not to suppress the natural reaction of fear, as most maladaptive responses derive from underestimating the risks involved or overestimating one's abilities to handle the situation. Research on the topic of patient violence has been neglected and is urgently needed.