Workplace violence against healthcare workers in Türkiye: Experiences, opinions, and suggestions

Year 2024, Volume: 10 Issue: 20, 160 - 173, 31.10.2024

Mehmet Ali İçbay , Ali Emre Şevik

https://doi.org/10.48121/jihsam.1561202

Abstract

Workplace violence against healthcare workers is a complex issue with significant implications for the safety and wellbeing of professionals in the healthcare sector. Drawing on data from 136 participants across Türkiye, this study explores the prevalence, forms, impacts, and management strategies of workplace violence in healthcare settings. The demographic characteristics of the participants reveal a diverse composition of healthcare workers affected by workplace violence, highlighting the universal nature of the issue. Verbal abuse emerges as a predominant form of violence, ranging from insults and threats to humiliation, while instances of physical violence pose grave risks to healthcare professionals. The study also underscores the inadequacy of support systems within healthcare institutions and the legal system, exacerbating the distress experienced by healthcare workers. Strategies for managing workplace violence include internal coping mechanisms, peer support, and institutional intervention, underscoring the need for comprehensive training programs and enhanced institutional protocols. Recommendations for prevention encompass a multifaceted approach involving enhanced security measures, support systems, and policy reforms at various levels. The study concludes with a call to action for concerted efforts to address workplace violence against healthcare workers, emphasizing the importance of targeted interventions to ensure the safety and well-being of professionals in their workplace. These findings provide valuable insights into the complexities of workplace violence in healthcare settings and highlight the urgent need for action to address this pressing issue.

Keywords

workplace violence, healthcare workers, physicians, Türkiye

Ethical Statement

Research ethics approval for this study was granted by the Research Ethics Committee at Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University on 25.08.2022 (No 15/25). The researcher obtained ethical approval from the local research ethics committee, ensuring adherence to established ethical guidelines throughout the study.

Supporting Institution

TÜBİTAK

Project Number

122S749

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