What is violence against health workers means?
Best insight from top research papers
Violence against health workers encompasses a range of behaviors such as verbal abuse, physical assaults, bullying, and harassment directed towards healthcare professionals . This issue is a global concern, with incidents reported in various countries, including Poland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and during the COVID-19 pandemic . Factors contributing to violence against health workers include high levels of stress, insufficient staffing, and deteriorating social climates around medical staff. The impact of violence on healthcare workers can lead to burnout, anxiety disorders, and irreversible physical and mental harm. Preventive measures such as community initiatives, strengthening health systems, and training on managing violence are proposed solutions to address this critical public health issue.
Answers from top 4 papers
More filters
| Papers (4) | Insight |
|---|---|
17 Mar 2023 | Violence against health workers refers to intentional physical or verbal aggression towards healthcare personnel, including threats, insults, and physical harm, as highlighted in the study conducted in Eastern DRC. |
| Violence against healthcare workers refers to physical or verbal attacks targeting individuals in the healthcare sector, posing a global health threat impacting workforce retention and system resilience. | |
| Violence against health workers includes verbal abuse, physical assault, bullying, sexual harassment, and racial harassment by patients, colleagues, and superiors, impacting mental and physical health. | |
| Violence against health workers refers to harmful actions, whether physical or verbal, directed towards healthcare personnel, leading to injury or harm, as highlighted in the paper on COVID-19 pandemic impacts. |
Related Questions
What factors contribute to increased violence towards healthcare workers?5 answersFactors contributing to increased violence towards healthcare workers include inadequate medical infrastructure, mismanagement of young doctors, increasing mistrust between doctors and patients, shortage of doctors, overworked healthcare workers, delays in attention and treatment, lack of proper insurance coverage, weak primary healthcare with overburdened tertiary care, ineffective grievance redressal system, poor state of medical education. Additionally, pandemic-related workplace violence has increased, with nurses experiencing higher rates of physical violence compared to physicians, while verbal violence rates are similar. COVID-19 healthcare workers face a higher risk of physical assault and workplace violence. To address this issue, collaborative efforts are needed between doctors, hospitals, the government, and society, focusing on improving communication skills, empathy towards patients, implementing efficient security systems, transparent billing systems, active complaint mechanisms, and passing strict laws against violence towards healthcare professionals.
How effective are current interventions in reducing violence towards healthcare workers?5 answersCurrent interventions in reducing violence towards healthcare workers have shown promising results. Studies have highlighted the importance of implementing measures to address workplace violence, such as training programs, cognitive behavior therapy, and workplace violence programs. These interventions focus on both the physical and psychological needs of victims, aiming to decrease psychological problems like anxiety, depression, and incidents of violence. Additionally, a specific case study implemented a patient risk assessment tool to identify individuals prone to violent behavior, supplementing existing safety efforts in healthcare settings. Overall, these interventions have demonstrated a decrease in assault incidents and injuries, emphasizing the significance of continuous improvement and further research to support effective strategies against workplace violence.
What are the prevention strategies for violence against health workers?4 answersPrevention strategies for violence against healthcare workers include implementing evidence-based preventive measures, such as risk assessment, education, training, and environmental modifications. Organizational strategies focusing on de-escalation, management of violent events, and identifying patients at risk for violent behaviors are crucial. In conflict zones like the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, policy frameworks defining roles for HCW protection and preparedness measures like violence management training are essential to mitigate violence. Educational interventions, particularly in workshop formats, have shown effectiveness in improving healthcare workers' ability to handle violent situations, contributing to safer healthcare environments. Strong leadership fostering a culture of inclusivity, support, and respect is also vital for successful violence prevention programs in healthcare settings.
What behaviours from healthcare workers encourage workplace violence?5 answersHealthcare workers who exhibit certain behaviors can encourage workplace violence. Factors such as working hours, work relationships, employment relations, high demands, and work intensity have been found to be associated with physical, psychological, and vicarious violence in healthcare settings. Additionally, bullying among healthcare workers has been identified as a significant issue that negatively affects both organizations and the victims. Furthermore, workplace incivility, which includes low-level rude behaviors and lack of regard for colleagues, can contribute to negative consequences and create a spiral effect of incivility in healthcare environments. It is important to address these behaviors and factors to prevent and mitigate workplace violence in healthcare settings.
Does gender play a role in determining violence against healthcare workers?5 answersGender plays a role in determining violence against healthcare workers. Several studies have found that female healthcare workers are more likely to experience workplace violence compared to their male counterparts. One study conducted in China found that gender moderated the association between authoritarian leadership and turnover intention, indicating that female healthcare workers may be more affected by certain leadership styles that contribute to turnover intention. Another study in Mozambique found that women were more likely than men to report not knowing if their healthcare services had policies or procedures to deal with violence and feeling less encouraged to report acts of violence. Additionally, a multicenter study in Italy found that male gender was associated with a higher risk of physical aggression at work, while being a nurse was associated with a higher risk of both physical and verbal aggression. These findings highlight the importance of considering gender as a factor in addressing and preventing workplace violence against healthcare workers.
What are the Violence Against Healthcare Workers in Emergency Rooms in Germany?5 answersViolence against healthcare workers in emergency rooms in Germany is a concerning issue. A study conducted in 2020 analyzed the attack surface of German hospitals and healthcare providers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It found that 32 percent of the analyzed services were vulnerable to various degrees, and 36 percent of all hospitals showed numerous vulnerabilities. Another study aimed to quantitatively synthesize available evidence on the prevalence rates of workplace violence (WPV) by patients and visitors against healthcare workers. It included 253 eligible studies and found that 61.9% of healthcare workers reported exposure to any form of WPV, with 24.4% experiencing physical violence in the past year. While these studies provide insights into the vulnerability and prevalence of violence in healthcare settings, there is a need for further research specifically focusing on violence against healthcare workers in emergency rooms in Germany.