Stress, Workplace Violence, and Burnout in Nurses Working in King Abdullah Medical City During Al-Hajj Season

Abstract

Background: The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, one of the largest mass gatherings in the world, is associated with various challenges for nurses. One of these challenges is increased levels of workplace violence. Therefore, handling and mitigating workplace violence against nurses during Hajj, when nurses face a higher risk of violence and most experience stress and burnout, is of particular importance. Purpose: The aims of this study were to identify the types and sources of workplace violence, examine the relationship between burnout in nurses and the variables of stress and workplace violence, and identify from the perspective of nurses measures to effectively handle and mitigate these issues during Hajj season. Methods: This study used a descriptive correlational design. A convenience sample of 118 nurses completed the Perceived Stress Scale, the Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the modified version of the Joint Programme on Workplace Violence in the Health Sector published by the International Labour Office in Geneva. Data analysis was done using an independent samples t test and Pearson product–moment correlation. Results: One hundred eighteen nurses completed the study. Over two thirds (65%) were female, and 56% reported experiencing at least one type of violence, of which bullying/mobbing, racial harassment, threats, and physical violence accounted for 61%, 15%, 12%, and 12%, respectively. Nurse managers displayed violent behaviors against 54% of the participants. Participants reported high levels of stress and burnout. A positive relationship was found between stress and emotional exhaustion ( r = .387, p < .01). Providing effective security measures and staff training regarding how to deal with violence at the workplace were the main measures identified to help reduce workplace violence. Conclusions: Providing effective security measures and tailored intervention programs addressing how to deal with violence in the workplace may enable nurses to handle violent behaviors more effectively.

Mobbing against nurses: a serious problem that has to be solved

“…Mobbing against nurses is a common phenomenon in Healthcare facilities that affects not only nurses, but also patients, the quality of the services provided by health care institutions, even patient mortality. [1][2][3][4] The main effect of mobbing on nurses is that it makes them try to change their workplace in the institution, try to find another institution to work for, or even try to change their profession if an opportunity arises. 5 For a problem to be solved it has to be firstly reported.…”

Nurses’ job satisfaction during the mass gathering of the Hajj 2018 in Saudi Arabia

“…The Hajj is a five-day holy pilgrimage and represents one of the largest annual mass gatherings in the world. Nurses represent key members of the healthcare team responsible for providing services that care for Hajj pilgrims who are injured or ill (Alzahrani & Kyratsis 2017;Kemp 2016;Rayan et al 2019;WHO 2015). Aldossari et al's (2019) review concluded that during successive Hajj seasons, new public health challenges emerge, and the authors urge Saudi's Ministry of Health (MOH) to continue to improve public health management during Hajj.…”

“…Recent evidence shows how nurses and other staff in the hospitals, medical centres and directorates treating visitors to Mecca and Medina during Hajj face challenges. For instance, the increased risk of emergency situations with some people requiring specialized medical care, coupled with a need to treat higher volumes of people quickly, puts great pressure on healthcare professionals and the services they provide (Rayan et al 2019). Previous research suggests nurses can experience stress and burnout due to their increased workload and the unique problems and professional challenges they encounter during Hajj (Alzahrani & Kyratsis 2017;Rayan et al 2019;Sulaiman et al 2019).…”

“…For instance, the increased risk of emergency situations with some people requiring specialized medical care, coupled with a need to treat higher volumes of people quickly, puts great pressure on healthcare professionals and the services they provide (Rayan et al 2019). Previous research suggests nurses can experience stress and burnout due to their increased workload and the unique problems and professional challenges they encounter during Hajj (Alzahrani & Kyratsis 2017;Rayan et al 2019;Sulaiman et al 2019). Indeed, preparing for a potential mass casualty event during the Hajj requires nurses to be fully trained to face ethical issues that could challenge their moral values (Alrajhi et al 2018).…”

“…Almalki et al (2011) emphasize that nurses must be given access to professional development programmes that train them in relevant local issues. However, during the Hajj, many nurses are relocated and expected to work long shifts in departments they are unfamiliar with, such as emergency rooms or critical care units, often with little additional training (Rayan et al 2019). These nurses are also put at greater risk of being victims of violence, with evidence suggesting that violence against nurses increases during Hajj (Alkorashy & Al Moalad 2016).…”