Causes Of Workplace Violence Research Articles

A Qualitative Systematic Review of Healthcare Practitioners' Experience of Workplace Violence.

Healthcare practitioners face significant risks of workplace violence due to various reasons such as hospital congestion, miscommunication, and aggressive behaviours of patients and relatives. Exposure to workplace violence may disrupt the workflow process and compromise patient care in healthcare facilities, ultimately affecting job performance, reducing job satisfaction, and negatively affecting the physical and mental health of healthcare practitioners. This study aimed to review all the published studies conducted on the experiences of workplace violence among healthcare practitioners. This study is a systematic review of qualitative studies. Data were collected through online databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, MEDLINE and JSTOR were searched from the year 2015-2021. The inclusion criteria were: qualitative methods and mixed methods of data collection and analysis; studies that were carried out among healthcare practitioners who have been experience on workplace violence; scope of the primary studies included experience of workplace violence; and published in English/Malay in academic journal between 2015 and 2021. A total of 15 papers were included in the final analysis. The overall quality of the included papers was high. Of the 15 papers, 12 studies fully met the CASP criteria. The results of the 15 included studies were organised into the thematic groups of: i) verbal violence as the common workplace violence; ii) perceived causes of workplace violence and iii) seeking help. Across different countries, verbal violence was the most common type of workplace violence reported by healthcare practitioners. This review also identified that a lack of information, failure to meet patient expectations, and delayed treatment were the main contributing factors to workplace violence.

Workplace Violence Against Healthcare Workers: A Literature Review

Introduction Violence against healthcare workers in the workplace is a complex issue affecting various healthcare professionals. Workplace violence (WPV) poses significant occupational hazards to healthcare employees. Objectives To identify the causes, types, and perpetrators of WPV and explore the effects of violence on healthcare workers’ well-being. Methods This literature review analyzes 15 selected research papers published between 2015 and 2020, focusing on WPV against healthcare workers, and gathers insights from healthcare professionals with prior experience of WPV. Through an analysis of the selected research papers, this study provides a comprehensive overview with WPV in the healthcare setting. The respondents in the included studies were healthcare professionals who had encountered WPV in their work. Results While nurses remain particularly vulnerable to violence due to their constant patient interaction, this study reveals that verbal violence is the most prevalent type, significantly impacting the well-being of healthcare workers as a whole. The identified causes of WPV include long waiting times, understaffing, miscommunication, inadequate security measures, high patient expectations, and overcrowding. Respondents emphasized the importance of education, security enhancements, and administrative support to address or prevent WPV. Conclusion The findings strongly highlight the crucial role of administrative support in reducing the incidence of WPV. It is crucial to implement broader measures to ensure the safety and well-being of all healthcare workers.

Experiences of preventing violence in two high-risk sectors: A qualitative study of front-line workers.

Exposure to workplace violence is associated with physical and/or psychological trauma. Despite its significant impact, little is known about front-line workers' experiences of preventing workplace violence. This study aimed to identify what workers identify as important to preventing workplace conflicts from escalating into violence. We conducted seventeen qualitative focus-group interviews with fifty-eight workers at the Danish Prison and Probation Service and psychiatric hospitals. We applied thematic analysis to identify types of violence-prevention practices, and prerequisites for successfully preventing workplace violence. We identified two main categories of violence-prevention practices, and one main category of prerequisites for violence-prevention practices. Main category A), "the individual worker's violence-prevention practices" included the sub-categories, 1) identify the causes of workplace violence and potentially violent situations, 2) establish relationships, state rules, and set clear boundaries and 3) display empathy and communicate respectfully. Main category B), "collaborative practices for preventing workplace violence" included 4) communicate with co-workers, and share information and observations, 5) coordinate work, avoid being played off against colleagues, and support colleagues. Main category C), "prerequisites for violence-prevention practices" included 6) managing one's emotions, and 7) having sufficient time to do the job, and being a part of a stable team, whose members know each other and the inmates/patients". This study contributes to a better understanding of the interplay among individual, collaborative, and contextual aspects of preventing workplace violence. We believe that an increased understanding of the complexity of preventing workplace violence in high-risk sectors is useful when designing comprehensive violence-prevention strategies.

Violence against healthcare workers in Hassa region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Magnitude of the problem and future perspectives

Background: Workplace violence (WPV) towards healthcare workers in the healthcare sector has been recognized as a global problem and major public health concern. International Labor Organization (ILO), defines, WPV as, “incidents where staff are abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances related to their work”. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and magnitude of workplace violence against health care workers in health-providing personnel in King Fahad Hospital Hofuf (KFHH) in Hassa region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To identify prevalence and type of workplace violence against health workers. To identify causes of workplace violence. To check the characteristics of perpetrators (offenders). Method: This is a descriptive cross-sectional health-facility-based research, conducted in King Fahad Hospital Hofuf in Hassa region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 2021. The data was collected by self-administered questionnaire from health personnel (based on the standardized WHO/ILO questionnaire) and data was analyzed by SPPS version20. Results: 137 staff workers were involved in this study. Of whom, 78 (56.9%) were females and 59 (43.1%) were males. Out of all the staff, 85 (62%) were physicians, 44 (32.1%) were nurses, 5 (3.6%) were pharmacist, 1 (0.7%) was a support staff and 2 (1.4%) were miscellaneous. 22.6% of the participants stated that violence incidents have occurred to them in the last year, 51.8% stated that they haven’t had violence incidents in the last year and 25.5% preferred not to answer. 22.6% of the violence victims stated that the violence was physical, 25.8% stated that it was psychological while 51.6% stated that it was sexual.4.4% of the participants were attacked by a staff member, 4.4% by a family relative, 5.8% by the patient himself, 2.9% by the patient and patient’s relatives, 1.5% by the manager or supervisor, 0.7% were attacked by an external colleague.59.9% of the participants stated that direct physical contact happened, 38.7% stated the opposite while 1.5% did not make a statement.33.6% of the participants said that they witnessed violence, Conclusion: The majority of the participants stated that violence incidents have not occurred to them in the last year. Half of the violence victims stated that the violence was sexual and the majority of physical violence victims were males. Only a minority of the victims reported the incidence to their supervisors. Most of the offenders were the patients themselves

Causes of workplace violence against medical staff as perceived by physicians and nurses in Jordanian public hospitals

PurposeWorkplace violence against medical staff has become an endemic problem in the healthcare sector in Jordan. This study investigates the perceived main causes of workplace violence (medical staff, administrative, patients, patient's escorts and legislative) against physicians and nurses in public hospitals.Design/methodology/approachA self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from a convenient random sample of 334 physicians and nurses employed in Jordanian public hospitals. Descriptive statistics and analysis of variance were used to answer questions and test hypotheses.FindingsFindings indicated that the practice of the causes of workplace violence behaviors assessed by the participants is at a moderate level in Jordanian public hospitals with a mean value of 3.26. The causes of violence were reported as most causative to least causative: patient escort (M = 3.60), legislative (M = 3.56), patients (M = 3.40), administrative (M = 3.16) and medical staff related (M = 2.74), respectively. Analysis showed statistical differences in the participants' attitudes toward the causes of workplace violence behaviors due to their gender, job title, education level, experience and income.Practical implicationsThis study has a significant practical contribution in providing information about the causes of workplace violence that will help health policymakers and hospital administrators to deter violence against medical staff. To reduce or eliminate the potential causes of violence, several actions can be taken, such as criminalizing violent behaviors, managing work pressure, staff shortages, developing comfortable and secure medical treatment settings, training the medical staff on aggression and stress management, and enhancing their communication skills with patients and their escorts. Findings also highlight the need for hospital management to develop protocols for reporting and dealing with workplace violence.Originality/valueThis is one of the first studies in the Arab context that examines the causes of workplace violence against medical staff.

Causes of workplace violence against nurses from patients and their relatives: A qualitative study

BackgroundNurses are frequently exposed to violence in workplaces. Although the causes of workplace violence have been widely analyzed, there are only a limited number of qualitative studies dealing with violence against nurses from patient and their relatives with a comprehensive and multi-directional approach. AimThis study aimed to explore the causes of violence against nurses exercised by patients and/or their relatives in different departments of Turkish hospitals. MethodsThis study utilized a qualitative descriptive design. Participants were chosen with purposive sampling and maximum variation sampling method from five different hospitals. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 34 nurses working in different positions and departments. The interviews were recorded with audio recorders and the data were analyzed with a content analysis. ResultsFour major themes emerged from the nurses' perspective concerning causes of workplace violence including the followings: (1) health care system, (2) health institutions, (3) health professionals, and (4) patients and their relatives. The themes “health care system” and “health institutions” include four subthemes, “health professionals” include five subthemes and “patients and their relatives” include twelve subthemes. ConclusionThere are various causes why nurses are exposed to violence in the workplace by patients and/or their relatives. Since the causes of violence are a multifaceted issue, prevention strategies of violence against nurses should be planned and implemented accordingly.

A Socio-ecological Framework for Understanding Workplace Violence in China's Health Sector: A Qualitative Analysis of Health Workers' Responses to an Open-ended Survey Question.

Workplace violence (WPV) in the health sector is a global public health issue. The magnitude of WPV is a particular concern in China's health system. To examine the potential causes of WPV, we analyzed 3,045 qualitative responses to an open-ended question in a survey with health workers in the Zhejiang province, China. We adapted a four-level socio-ecological framework (societal/systemic, community/organizational, interpersonal, and individual) to thematically analyze the data. Ten sub-themes emerged. Within the societal/systemic level, we identified three sub-themes: (a) lack of legislation against WPV, (b) suboptimal accessibility and affordability of health services due to maldistributed health resources, commercialized health services, and inadequate health insurance, and (c) unregulated mass media reports. Within the community/organizational level, three sub-themes emerged: (a) lack of supportive health facility leadership, (b) inaction by government authorities, and (c) inefficient law enforcement agencies. Within the interpersonal level, two sub-themes were identified: (a) poor provider-patient communication and (b) distrust between health workers and patients. Finally, we identified the personal characteristics of health workers (e.g., competence and professionalism) and patients (e.g., sociodemographic background and expectations/satisfaction) as two individual-level sub-themes.We recognized interactions among different levels. The weak state of Chinese legislation in this area and lack of high-level political will and guidance (societal/systemic) has left health facilities and law enforcement agencies (community/organizational) unclear about how to address WPV. The maldistribution of quality health resources (societal/systemic) has led to overcrowded outpatient clinics at higher-level care facilities (community/organizational). In light of the insufficient government funding and profit-oriented health services (societal/systemic), health workers were motivated to seek profits by providing unnecessary services, which compromised their professionalism (individual). Provider-patient relationships deteriorated (interpersonal), and patients sometimes held unrealistically high expectations associated with high medical expenses (individual). We propose multisectoral prevention strategies to address WPV in the health sector at all levels using a socio-ecological framework.

Pattern of workplace violence against doctors practising modern medicine and the subsequent impact on patient care, in India.

IntroductionThe incidents of violence against doctors, leading to grievous injury and even death, seem to be on an increasing trend in recent years. There is a paucity of studies on workplace violence against doctors and its effect, in India. The present study was conducted to assess workplace violence faced by doctors, its effect on the psycho-social wellbeing of the treating doctor and, subsequently, on patient management.MethodsThe present nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2019 –April 2020. The sample size was calculated assuming the prevalence of workplace violence as 50%, with 20% non-response. Doctors, working in private and/or public set-up, with ≥1 year clinical experience, were included. A pre-tested study tool- Google form—was sent to study participants via social media platforms. The Microsoft Excel spreadsheet was downloaded from google drive and data was analysed using STATA-12 statistical software.ResultsA total of 617 responses were received from doctors all over India; out of which 477 (77.3%) doctors had ever faced workplace violence. “Actual or perceived non-improvement or deterioration of patient’s condition" (40.0%), followed by “perception of wrong treatment given” (37.3%) were the main causes of workplace violence; and the family members/relatives were the major perpetrators (82.2%). More than half of the participants reported “loss of self-esteem”, “feeling of shame” and “stress/depression/anxiety/ideas of persecution” after the incident. Management by surgical interventions (p-value<0.001) and handling of emergency/complicated cases (p-value<0.001) decreased significantly with an increase in severity of workplace violence; while the suggestion of investigations and referrals increased (p-value<0.001).ConclusionsWorkplace violence has a significant effect on the psycho-social well-being of doctors, as well as on patient management; which may escalate discontent and distrust among the general public, thereby increasing incidents of workplace violence—in a self-propagating vicious cycle.

Healthcare providers' neurobiological response to workplace violence perpetrated by consumers: Informing directions for staff well-being

AimsTo examine the neurobiological response experienced by healthcare workers when exposed to workplace violence perpetrated by consumers, with a view to informing future training and self-care strategies for staff well-being. BackgroundConsiderable work has been undertaken internationally to identify the causes of workplace violence and to develop legislation and guidance for reducing the risk in healthcare. However, there is a gap in understanding workers' innate neurobiological response to workplace violence, and how to prepare staff to recognise the professional and self-care implications of such a response. DesignThis explanatory study was part of a larger descriptive study. MethodsIndividual and group interviews were conducted with managers, directors, health/safety staff, nurses and educators (n = 99) from rural and metropolitan health services in Australia. Inductive thematic analysis was conducted, followed by in depth analysis to answer the question: what neurobiological response could be occurring when healthcare workers experience workplace violence? The analytical framework was informed by polyvagal theory. ResultsWith the increased risk of threat to physical and personal safety in the workplace, healthcare workers may experience activation of the fight, flight or freeze response, affecting their wellbeing and performance at work and at home. Participants recognised a need to care for themselves and understand their own reactions, so that they could better address the needs of consumers. ConclusionsEducation for health care workers should include knowledge of the neurobiological responses to threat, and techniques to increase their capacity to identify, and manage their responses. An understanding of trauma-informed care for staff, will enable them to recognise the cumulative effects of workplace violence, and identify strategies to manage their well-being. Relevance to clinical practiceInformation about the body's neurobiological response to stressors that threaten physiological and psychological safety can assist healthcare providers to better understand how to respond to workplace violence and aggression.

Workplace Violence Against Nurses: Vhembe District Hospitals, South Africa.

Work-related violence is a common problem worldwide. In South Africa, the Medical Research Council conducted a study on workplace violence in the health care industry and reported that most respondents had experienced it in different forms. This study aimed to identify the types and causes of workplace violence toward nurses in Thulamela hospitals, Vhembe district. The study employed a quantitative approach using a cross-sectional design. The target population was all nurses working in one regional and two district hospitals in the municipality. The sample consisted of 100 randomly selected participants from each hospital giving a total sample size of 300. Prior to the data collection, an ethical clearance and written informed consent were obtained from each participant. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Analysis was done using SPSS Version 20.0. The study revealed that 85% of the respondents (255) had experienced workplace violence in the last 12 months with a range of 95% for threats to 60% for bullying. Regarding the gender of the perpetrators, females (71%) were the main perpetrators. This study concludes that workplace violence is a major occupational health issue in the district, most especially among the psychiatric nurses.

"…they think we are conversing, so we don't care about them…" Examining the causes of workplace violence against nurses in Ghana.

BackgroundThis study is part of a larger project aimed at exploring the workplace experiences of nurses working in public general hospitals in Ghana. The current paper explores the causes of workplace violence against nurses in Ghana.MethodsTwenty-four semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with professional nurses working in five regions of Ghana. They were selected through purposive and participant-to-participant snowball sampling techniques. Data was analysed through thematic analyses.ResultsThe findings of the study suggest that nurses are not (always) passive recipients of violence. Workplace violence can be instigated by either of the parties to the nurse-patient/relative interaction. Nurses’ accounts of the causes of violence suggest that violence could be instrumental or reactive. The study further suggests that the causes of violence may differ depending on which party instigated the violence. The main causes of violence identified include ineffective communication, long waiting times and perceived unresponsiveness, and enforcement of visiting hours.ConclusionIt is concluded that workplace violence could be reduced through the provision of adequate information to patients and their relatives. Nurses could also be trained in effective communication and interpersonal skills; and on how to identify and avoid potentially violent situations. It is also imperative that policies and measures aimed at addressing workplace violence are instituted to address the problem. Mass education may also be carried out to sensitise the general public on the adverse effects of violence against nurses.

Workplace violence against nurses in three different Greek healthcare settings.

Healthcare workers are at high risk of facing workplace violence and nurses represent the most affected group. This study aimed to assess workplace violence encountered by nurses working in three different healthcare settings. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary hospital, a non-tertiary hospital and a primary care unit. The research tool was an anonymous self-report questionnaire concerning the prevalence, characteristics, consequences, causes and preventive measures of workplace violence. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 17.0. Eighty nurses participated in the study. The majority (76%) had experienced workplace violence. Men (OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01-0.56) and more experienced nurses (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.70-0.97, for each additional year of working experience) were less affected in the last year. Verbal violence was the dominant type (98%). The vast majority (80%) reported a negative psychological impact, while 65% reported that they feel sometimes, rarely or never safe in their workplace. One of the main suggested causes of workplace violence was the long waiting time (99%), while the most common suggested measure of prevention was entrance control (93%). This study revealed a high prevalence of workplace violence against nurses working in different healthcare facilities. Country and unit-specific studies may be beneficial for implementing appropriate interventions for reducing work place violence.

CONTROLLING WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Controlling workplace violence is often focused on the violence that comes from outside the organization. However, recent data show an alarming increase in violence, as well as physical and various forms of psychological violence that is happening just in the workplace within the organization itself. Considering the fact that the consequences of any form of workplace violence are various and very serious, as well as the fact that human capital is crucial for any organization, its prevention and control have an extremely important role. The focus of this paper is placed on the causes of workplace violence arising from the organization itself, and especially from the dominant organizational culture, and in this regard, on establishing their successful control. Changing organizational culture, given that it is a source located within the organization, represents the best means of establishing control of this phenomenon. Also, the resources, as well as the influence, that are at disposal to managers, whose role in creation of organizational culture and controlling of various aspects of safety is crucial, definitely should not be ignored. The aim of the paper is to contribute to the establishment of successful workplace violence control, as one of safety aspects, as well as increasing the awareness of this. Key words:control, prevention, workplace violence

Drivers' and conductors' views on the causes and ways of preventing workplace violence in the road passenger transport sector in Maputo City, Mozambique

BackgroundWorkplace violence (WPV) is an occupational health hazard in both low and high income countries. To design WPV prevention programs, prior knowledge and understanding of conditions in the targeted population are essential. This study explores and describes the views of drivers and conductors on the causes of WPV and ways of preventing it in the road passenger transport sector in Maputo City, Mozambique.MethodsThe design was qualitative. Participants were purposefully selected from among transport workers identified as victims of WPV in an earlier quantitative study, and with six or more years of experience in the transport sector. Data were collected in semi-structured interviews. Seven open questions covered individual views on causes of WPV and its prevention, based on the interviewees' experiences of violence while on duty. Thirty-two transport professionals were interviewed. The data were analyzed by means of qualitative content analysis.ResultsThe triggers and causes of violence included fare evasion, disputes over revenue owing to owners, alcohol abuse, overcrowded vehicles, and unfair competition for passengers. Failures to meet passenger expectations, e.g. by-passing parts of a bus route or missing stops, were also important. There was disrespect on the part of transport workers, e.g. being rude to passengers and jumping of queues at taxi ranks, and there were also robberies. Proposals for prevention included: training for workers on conflict resolution, and for employers on passenger-transport administration; and, promoting learning among passengers and workers on how to behave when traveling collectively. Regarding control and supervision, there were expressed needs for the recording of mileage, and for the sanctioning of workers who transgress queuing rules at taxi ranks. The police or supervisors should prevent drunken passengers from getting into vehicles, and drivers should refuse to go to dangerous, secluded neighborhoods. Finally, there is a need for an institution to judge alleged cases of employees not handing over demanded revenues to their employer.ConclusionsThe causes of WPV lie in problems regarding money, behavior, environment, organization and crime. Suggestions for prevention include education, control to avoid critical situations, and a judicial system to assess malpractices. Further research in the road passenger transport sector in Maputo City, Mozambique and similar settings is warranted.

Perceived causes of workplace violence among nurses working in a non-tertiary setting: An ecological approach

Perceived causes of workplace violence among nurses working in a non-tertiary setting: An ecological approach

An Overview of Workplace and School Violence Prevention

Abstract The safety of the American workplace began to change in the 1980s. The killings of 14 postal workers by a co-worker at the U.S. Postal Service in Edmond, Oklahoma, in 1986, and numerous other similar homicides in the early 1990s, resulted in workplace violence being one of the greatest concerns of employers in the United States. Considerable attention and research has involved the causes of workplace violence, the types and characteristics of the perpetrators, and the presence of warning signs. A number of comprehensive programs are now available, and are designed to prevent violence in the nation's workplaces and schools. Although workplace homicides have declined by approximately thirty percent over the past decade, the need for further research continues.

Workplace violence in Queensland, Australia: The results of a comparative study

This paper presents the results on workplace violence from a larger study undertaken in 2004. Comparison is made with the results of a similar study undertaken in 2001. The study involved the random sampling of 3,000 nurses from the Queensland Nurses' Union's membership in the public (acute hospital and community nursing), private (acute hospital and domiciliary nursing) and aged care (both public and private aged care facilities) sectors. The self-reported results suggest an increase in workplace violence in all three sectors. Although there are differences in the sources of workplace violence across the sectors, the major causes of workplace violence are: clients/patients, visitors/relatives, other nurses, nursing management and medical practitioners. Associations were also found between workplace violence and gender, the designation of the nurse, hours of employment, the age of the nurse, morale and perceptions of workplace safety. Although the majority of nurses reported that policies were in place for the management of workplace violence, these policies were not always adequate.