The effects of single session education in reducing symptoms of distress following patient assault in nurses working in medium secure settings

Abstract

Violence in the workplace is a hazard. Nurses, as a professional group, have the second highest risk of being physically assaulted of all occupational groups. The cost of violent assaults to individuals and organizations is unnecessarily high. This study aimed to explore the effectiveness of a brief educational intervention (reading a booklet on effects of trauma and coping) in reducing distress in nurses working in medium security settings who are physically assaulted by patients. This study found a significant difference in distress score between the education and control group, with education group showing greater distress levels at 3-month follow-up. The study also found a positive correlation between the participant's rating of injury and their feeling of distress.