Workplace violence toward emergency department staff in Jordanian hospitals: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Workplace violence against emergency department staff (EDS) is considered one of the most common and widespread phenomena of violence in the hospital setting.

Purpose: The purpose of this research is to determine the incidence of workplace violence and the predictors of violent behavior against EDS working at hospitals in Jordan.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was used to investigate the workplace violence experiences of a convenience sample of 355 EDS working at 8 government-run and 4 privately run Jordanian hospitals. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that was developed for this study.

Results: Nearly three quarters (72%) of participants reported being exposed to violent acts. Patients and their relatives were identified as the main perpetrators of this violence. The contributing factors to workplace violence identified by the participants included overcrowding, lack of resources, staff shortages, and the absence of effective antiviolence policies.

Conclusions/implications for practice: Policies and legislation related to workplace violence should be instituted and developed. Furthermore, EDS should be trained to deal with violent incidents and to understand violence management policies.