21
views
0
recommends
+1 Recommend
0 collections
    0
    shares
      • Record: found
      • Abstract: found
      • Article: found
      Is Open Access

      Workplace violence in different settings and among various health professionals in an Italian general hospital: a cross-sectional study

      research-article

      Read this article at

      Bookmark
          There is no author summary for this article yet. Authors can add summaries to their articles on ScienceOpen to make them more accessible to a non-specialist audience.

          Abstract

          Background

          Workplace violence (WPV) against health professionals is a global problem with an increasing incidence. The aims of this study were as follows: 1) to examine the frequency and characteristics of WPV in different settings and professionals of a general hospital and 2) to identify the clinical and organizational factors related to this phenomenon.

          Methods

          The study was cross-sectional. In a 1-month period, we administered the “Violent Incident Form” to 745 professionals (physicians, head nurses, nurses, nursing assistants), who worked in 15 wards of a general hospital in northern Italy.

          Results

          With a response rate of 56%, 45% of professionals reported WPV. The most frequently assaulted were nurses (67%), followed by nursing assistants (18%) and physicians (12%). The first two categories were correlated, in a statistically significant way, with the risk of WPV ( P=0.005, P=0.004, multiple logistic regression). The violent incidents more frequently occurred in psychiatry department (86%), emergency department (71%), and in geriatric wards (57%). The assailants more frequently were males whereas assaulted professionals more often were females. Men committed physical violence more frequently than women, in a statistically significant way ( P=0.034, chi-squared test). Verbal violence (51%) was often committed by people in a lucid and normal state of consciousness; physical violence (49%) was most often perpetrated by assailants affected by dementia, mental retardation, drug and substance abuse, or other psychiatric disorders. The variables positively related to WPV were “calling for help during the attack” and “physical injuries suffered in violent attack” ( P=0.02, P=0.03, multiple logistic regression).

          Conclusion

          This study suggests that violence is a significant phenomenon and that all health workers, especially nurses, are at risk of suffering aggressive assaults. WPV presented specific characteristics related to the health care settings, where the aggression occurred. Prevention programs tailored to the different care needs are necessary to promote professional awareness for violence risk.

          Related collections

          Most cited references51

          • Record: found
          • Abstract: not found
          • Article: not found

          Gender and aggressive behavior: a meta-analytic review of the social psychological literature.

            Bookmark
            • Record: found
            • Abstract: found
            • Article: not found

            Violence against nurses working in US emergency departments.

            The objective of this study was to investigate emergency nurses' experiences and perceptions of violence from patients and visitors in US emergency departments (EDs). The ED is a particularly vulnerable setting for workplace violence, and because of a lack of standardized measurement and reporting mechanisms for violence in healthcare settings, data are scarce. Registered nurse members (n = 3,465) of the Emergency Nurses Association participated in this cross-sectional study by completing a 69-item survey. Approximately 25% of respondents reported experiencing physical violence more than 20 times in the past 3 years, and almost 20% reported experiencing verbal abuse more than 200 times during the same period. Respondents who experienced frequent physical violence and/or frequent verbal abuse indicated fear of retaliation and lack of support from hospital administration and ED management as barriers to reporting workplace violence. Violence against ED nurses is highly prevalent. Precipitating factors to violent incidents identified by respondents is consistent with the research literature; however, there is considerable potential to mitigate these factors. Commitment from hospital administrators, ED managers, and hospital security is necessary to facilitate improvement and ensure a safer workplace for ED nurses.
              Bookmark
              • Record: found
              • Abstract: found
              • Article: not found

              Causes and management of patient aggression and violence: staff and patient perspectives.

              This paper reports a study of staff and patient perspectives on the causes of patient aggression and the way it is managed. The incidence of aggression in healthcare is reportedly on the increase, and concerns about the management of this problem are growing. A convenience sample of 80 patients and 82 nurses from three inpatient mental healthcare wards were surveyed using The Management of Aggression and Violence Attitude Scale. A further five patients and five nurses from the same sample participated in a number of follow-up interviews. Patients perceived environmental conditions and poor communication to be a significant precursor of aggressive behaviour. Nurses, in comparison, viewed the patients' mental illnesses to be the main reason for aggression, although the negative impact of the inpatient environment was recognized. From interview responses, it was evident that both sets of respondents were dissatisfied with a restrictive and under-resourced provision that leads to interpersonal tensions. There are differences between the views of staff and patients about reasons for aggression and its management. Future approaches therefore need to be developed that address these opposing views. For example, training in the use of fundamental therapeutic communication skills was advocated by patients, whilst the need for greater attention to organizational deficits was advocated by nurses. A move away from reliance on the use of medication was also felt to be necessary. Evaluation of local needs and practices must be an integral part of this process.
                Bookmark

                Author and article information

                Journal
                Psychol Res Behav Manag
                Psychol Res Behav Manag
                Psychology Research and Behavior Management
                Psychology Research and Behavior Management
                Dove Medical Press
                1179-1578
                2016
                23 September 2016
                : 9
                : 263-275
                Affiliations
                [1 ]Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing
                [2 ]School of Psychiatry, University of Modena and Reggio
                [3 ]Department of Mental Health, Service of Psychiatric Diagnosis and Treatment, Modena, Italy
                Author notes
                Correspondence: Paola Ferri, Department of Diagnostic, Clinical and Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Del Pozzo, n° 71, 41124, Modena, Italy, Tel +39 059 422 3528, Fax +39 059 422 2520, Email paola.ferri@ 123456unimore.it
                Article
                prbm-9-263
                10.2147/PRBM.S114870
                5042196
                27729818
                c3c943ac-b75c-4ab8-82d1-1e56656ace6d
                © 2016 Ferri et al. This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited

                The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution – Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/). By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed.

                History
                Categories
                Original Research

                Clinical Psychology & Psychiatry
                workplace violence,health professionals,nurses,physicians,patient,general hospital,aggression

                Comments

                Comment on this article