[Don't see, don't hear, and don't speak: the silence as an obstacle to the caring process. Phenomenological investigation among health staff working in an emergency department]

Abstract

Many health professionals show their concerns about the "professional misconduct"committed by their colleagues. Such concerns are sometimes referred to colleagues or superiors, but they are rarely communicated directly to the persons concerned. Starting from these assumptions we wanted to investigate whether in the setting of italian intensive care unit, you have the same perception. A phenomenological study was performed, aiming at collecting the experiences of health care professionals about the professional mistake question. As a means of detection we used a semi-structured, audio-recorded and transcribed in full interview. The analysis was done using the Giorgi method. Six units of meaning have been identified, expression of the most important and recurring experiences. They are: the climate / alliance and sense of belonging, the meaning of mistake: tolerable and not tolerable, the incident, the emotions / feelings; the mistakes / reasons; communication. The research highlights that the "culture of silence" is not widespread so when a mistake occurs the professional is usually faced by a colleague However, there are two exceptions:when the mistake is not serious, or when the professional to be faced is higher in the hierarchy. Those who committed a mistake, usually don't admit it because they don't want to damage their "image" or because they are afraid of the consequences.