Workplace violence against nurses in three different Greek healthcare settings

Abstract

Background: Healthcare workers are at high risk of facing workplace violence and nurses represent the most affected group.

Objective: This study aimed to assess workplace violence encountered by nurses working in three different healthcare settings.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary hospital, a non-tertiary hospital and a primary care unit. The research tool was an anonymous self-report questionnaire concerning the prevalence, characteristics, consequences, causes and preventive measures of workplace violence. The statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 17.0.

Results: Eighty nurses participated in the study. The majority (76%) had experienced workplace violence. Men (OR, 0.08; 95% CI, 0.01-0.56) and more experienced nurses (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.70-0.97, for each additional year of working experience) were less affected in the last year. Verbal violence was the dominant type (98%). The vast majority (80%) reported a negative psychological impact, while 65% reported that they feel sometimes, rarely or never safe in their workplace. One of the main suggested causes of workplace violence was the long waiting time (99%), while the most common suggested measure of prevention was entrance control (93%).

Conclusions: This study revealed a high prevalence of workplace violence against nurses working in different healthcare facilities. Country and unit-specific studies may be beneficial for implementing appropriate interventions for reducing work place violence.

Keywords: Occupational health; consequences; physical abuse; verbal abuse.