Work

The growing burden of workplace violence against healthcare workers: trends in prevalence, risk factors, consequences, and prevention – a narrative review

Year: 2024

Type: review

Abstract: Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers (HCW) is a globally growing problem in healthcare systems. Despite decades of research and interventions violent incidents are rising in their severity and frequency. A structured review of PubMed and Scopus databases and supplementary internet searches, resulted in a synthesis of evidence covering multiple countries and healthcare worker populations. High rates of WPV are increasingly common due to unmet patient expectations, poor communication, long wait times and organizational factors such as resourcing and infrastructure. We highlight links between WPV and poor worker health outcomes, staff turnover, reduced patient safety and medical errors. Few prevention and mitigation activities have shown sustained effects, highlighting the challenges in understanding and addressing the complex interplay of factors that drive violence against HCWs. The rapidly rising incidence of WPV requires special consideration and action from multiple stakeholders including patients and visitors, healthcare providers, law enforcement, media and policy makers.

Source: EClinicalMedicine

DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102641

Authors: Conor J. O'Brien, André A.J. van Zundert, Paul R. Barach

Institutions: The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Thomas Jefferson University

Language: English

Topic: Workplace Violence and Bullying

Subfield: Sociology and Political Science

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Decent work and economic growth

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,000