Abstract
BackgroundThis paper describes the association between workplace violence and job satisfaction among physicians and nurses in Macau. Convenience sampling was sourced from six health centers under the Macau Health Bureau.MethodsThis study uses a cross-sectional self-administrative survey. The study used case studies research instruments for workplace violence in the health sector by country (from the ILO, ICN, WHO, PSI), the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire and Perceived Stress Scale. The data collection period spanned from August to December, 2014.Data analysisMultiple logistic regression examines levels of intrinsic and extrinsic satisfaction in physicians and nurses and significant correlates affecting their job satisfaction.ResultsA total of 720 (14.9% physicians) participants were recruited. 57.2% of participants reported physical and psychological workplace violence in the preceding year. The most common forms of workplace violence were verbal abuse (53.4%), physical assault (16.1%), bullying / harassment (14.2%), sexual harassment (4.6%) and racial harassment (2.6%). Nurses were at a significantly higher risk of physical assault and verbal abuse compared to physicians. Patients, patients’ relatives, and colleagues were the main perpetrators. Worry about WPV, on-call duty and shift work, experience of bullying and verbal abuse and employment sector emerged as significant correlates affecting the intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction of physicians and nurses. Frontline staff, aged 30 and 39, coming from an ethnic minority, and perceived stress were significant correlates affecting nurses’ job satisfaction.ConclusionsWPV remains a significant concern in healthcare settings in Macau. Stakeholders should legally enforce a zero-tolerance policy towards WPV within healthcare workplaces. WPV is detrimental to healthcare professionals’ mental wellbeing, risking irreversible physical and psychological harm for its victims.
Highlights
IntroductionThe National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines WPV workplace violence as “violent acts (including physical assaults and threats of assaults) directed toward persons at work or on duty.” [1]
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines WPV workplace violence as “violent acts directed toward persons at work or on duty.” [1]
Worry about WPV, on-call duty and shift work, experience of bullying and verbal abuse and employment sector emerged as significant correlates affecting the intrinsic and extrinsic job satisfaction of physicians and nurses
Summary
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines WPV workplace violence as “violent acts (including physical assaults and threats of assaults) directed toward persons at work or on duty.” [1]. Despite concerted effort has been made in any national or local setting to examine the psychological impact of WPV on physicians and nurses, the association between the (presumably) negative psychological impact of WPV and physicians’ and nurses’ job satisfaction has yet to be measured in any satisfactorily comprehensive way. [30] To the author’s knowledge, no study has yet measured the association between WPV and job satisfaction among physicians and nurses in Macau—a gap the study fills. This paper describes the association between workplace violence and job satisfaction among physicians and nurses in Macau.
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