Invisible Crisis in the Emergency Department: Workplace Violence Against Healthcare Workers—A Descriptive Survey Study
Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, cilt.68, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 68
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1097/jom.0000000000003656
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CINAHL, EMBASE, Environment Index, MEDLINE, Public Affairs Index
- Anahtar Kelimeler: workplace violence, healthcare workers, emergency department, violence reporting, overcrowding
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
ABSTRACT – Objective – To investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and consequences of workplace violence (WPV) in emergency care settings, including reporting behaviors. Methods – An online questionnaire was conducted among 660 emergency department(ED) healthcare workers (HCWs), covering types of violence, perpetrators, psychological impacts, and reporting behaviors. Results – A 97.4% of HCWs reported experiencing at least one violent incident. Verbal violence was the most prevalent (93.8%), followed by psychological pressure (59.1%) and physical violence (22.7%). Perpetrators were mainly patient companions (98.0%) and patients (60.3%). Nearly half (49.8%) had never reported violence. Consequences of the violence on HCWs included a loss of motivation (80.8%), anxiety (63.8%) and burnout (57.7%). About 85% associated violence with ED overcrowding. Conclusions – WPV in EDs remains a public health and workforce safety issue. System-level interventions are needed to enhance safety and deterrence, reduce overcrowding, improve reporting, and strengthen institutional support.