I do not even tell my partner: Nurses’ perceptions of verbal and physical violence against nurses working in a regional hospital

Abstract

Aims and objectives To examine nurses’ perceptions of physical and verbal violence perpetrated by patients and visitors and to investigate themes surrounding gender and the incidence of violence. Background The prevalence of violence towards nurses is a concern for nurses and hospital administrators. However, nurses who work in acute care and mental healthcare settings are particularly at high risk. This study examines the occurrence, type of violence and gender issues in a regional public hospital of Queensland Australia. Design An exploratory, qualitative design. Methods Focus group interviews with 23 nurses from Emergency Department (ED), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Psychiatry Department (PD) working in Queensland regional public hospital, Australia. Qualitative data were transcribed and thematically analysed manually and by NVivo. COREQ research reporting checklist followed. Results Participants reported frequent incidents of verbal and physical violence on a daily basis. Severe incidence included punching, kicking, biting and scratching, as well as threats of using weapons, such as knives. Patients were more likely to exhibit physical violence, especially towards male nurses, while hospital visitors including patient's family were more likely to exhibit verbal violence. Allocating male nurses in volatile areas and to care for violent patients raises concerns that the male nurses may be seen by their patients as “bodyguards” and not as a professional nurse. Conclusion Findings indicate that staff believe that violence is increasing, feel the burden to accept that violence as part of the job and that the bureaucratic processes of the organisation make it difficult to address violence or get support. Organisations need to be vigilant in ensuring assistance is accessible and simplified. Relevant to clinical practice This study contributes new knowledge to the discussion concerning of gender issues. Identifying gender issues could assist in developing the necessary interventions to reduce workplace violence.

Violence on the Job: The Experiences of Nurses and Midwives with Violence from Patients and Their Friends and Relatives

“…The body of evidence on the topic indicates that female nurses are more likely to experience verbal abuse and non-physical violence than their male colleagues, with male nurses reporting higher levels of physical violence. The authors of an Australian study discussed the use of male nurses as "de facto bodyguards for their female colleagues" and theorized that this exposed them to higher levels of physical violence [8]. In a systematic review of exposure to physical violence male nurses were reported to experience physical violence at a higher rate than female nurses [35].…”

“…In Victoria the number of nurses assaulted in health settings increased by 60% over the same period [7]. A recent study of regional nurses in Australia reported that violence towards nurses is occurring on daily basis and increasing in frequency [8].…”

Workplace violence in emergency departments: The health professionals and security personnel alliance

“…Wand and colleagues in their interesting study have tried to give voice to the opinions and experiences of security personnel in responding to aggression and behavioural problems. As the authors stated, ED staff in responding to behavioural problems, in particular aggression and violence because of people who experience intoxication, agitation, distress, psychosis and so on, 4 habitually call hospital security to assist them. However, the contribution of security personnel in the management of violent incidents is not yet properly documented 5 and evaluated 6,7 .…”

Verbal Abuse Among Nurses Working in a Nepalese Government Hospital

“…2 Health care professionals were found to be more vulnerable, experiencing violence more than four times in comparison with people from other occupations. 1,3 Nurses are exposed to more incidences of workplace violence than other health care workers as they come in direct interactions with the patients and patient's relatives. 4 Verbal abuse, a form of workplace violence is defined as "being yelled or shouted at; cursed or sworn at; being subjected to inappropriate, offensive, rude, or hostile behavior; having malicious rumors spread about you or being belittled and humiliated."…”

“…4 Verbal abuse, a form of workplace violence is defined as "being yelled or shouted at; cursed or sworn at; being subjected to inappropriate, offensive, rude, or hostile behavior; having malicious rumors spread about you or being belittled and humiliated." 5 In the hospital setting, nurses frequently experienced verbal abuse from patients, 6 patients' realtives, 1,7 physicians, 8 and other health care workers. 5,9 Nurses were found to experience verbal abuse frequently on a daily basis that ranges from swearing to threat to the individual safety.…”