Prevalence of workplace violence against healthcare workers: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

We aim to quantitatively synthesise available epidemiological evidence on the prevalence rates of workplace violence (WPV) by patients and visitors against healthcare workers. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase and Web of Science from their inception to October 2018, as well as the reference lists of all included studies. Two authors independently assessed studies for inclusion. Data were double-extracted and discrepancies were resolved by discussion. The overall percentage of healthcare worker encounters resulting in the experience of WPV was estimated using random-effects meta-analysis. The heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Differences by study-level characteristics were estimated using subgroup analysis and meta-regression. We included 253 eligible studies (with a total of 331 544 participants). Of these participants, 61.9% (95% CI 56.1% to 67.6%) reported exposure to any form of WPV, 42.5% (95% CI 38.9% to 46.0%) reported exposure to non-physical violence, and 24.4% (95% CI 22.4% to 26.4%) reported experiencing physical violence in the past year. Verbal abuse (57.6%; 95% CI 51.8% to 63.4%) was the most common form of non-physical violence, followed by threats (33.2%; 95% CI 27.5% to 38.9%) and sexual harassment (12.4%; 95% CI 10.6% to 14.2%). The proportion of WPV exposure differed greatly across countries, study location, practice settings, work schedules and occupation. In this systematic review, the prevalence of WPV against healthcare workers is high, especially in Asian and North American countries, psychiatric and emergency department settings, and among nurses and physicians. There is a need for governments, policymakers and health institutions to take actions to address WPV towards healthcare professionals globally.

Violence Against Healthcare Workers: A Worldwide Phenomenon With Serious Consequences

“…In the first study (2), the authors systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science from their inception to October 2018, and included 253 eligible studies (with a total of 331,544 participants). 61.9% of the participants reported exposure to any form of workplace violence, 42.5% reported exposure to non-physical violence, and 24.4% experienced physical violence in the past year.…”

“…Verbal and physical violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) have reached considerable levels worldwide, and the World Medical Association has most recently defined violence against health personnel "an international emergency that undermines the very foundations of health systems and impacts critically on patient's health" (1). Two systematic reviews and meta-analyses published at the end of 2019 found a high prevalence of workplace violence by patients and visitors against nurses and physicians (2), and show that occupational violence against HCWs in dental healthcare centers is not uncommon (3).…”

Workplace Violence and Its Effects on Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress among Mental Healthcare Nurses in Japan

“…Workplace violence (WPV) in healthcare settings has been drawing attention for over 20 years [2,[4][5][6][7][8] and has been reported in many places, including Europe [9], Asia [10][11][12], the U.S. [13], and the Middle East [14]. According to a recent review, the prevalence of WPV against healthcare workers was higher in Asian and North American countries than that in other countries [15]. Female nurses were reported to be the victims of verbal abuse more often than male nurses, and male nurses were reported to be more commonly the victims of physical abuse [7].…”

Iatrogenic Dissemination Of initially Resectable Lung Cancer After Transthoracic Fine-needle Biopsy : who is to Be Blamed?

“…A cross-sectional survey indicated that 34.4% of healthcare workers reported verbal or physical violence in the preceding 12 months, along with 13.5% of physical assault [58]. A meta-analysis showed that the prevalence of healthcare workplace violence is especially high in Asian and North American countries [59]. On the contrary, patients are also afraid that an important diagnosis will be missed or delayed through laziness, or incompetence of the physicians [60].…”