Violence against nurses working in the health sector in five European countries-pilot study

Abstract

Aim: To provide initial data regarding country-specific evidence of workplace violence towards nurses working within the health sector in five European countries.

Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional pilot study, conducted in June 2016. The sample consisted of 260 nurses working in selected health care settings in five participating countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Turkey, and Spain). The questionnaire used was adapted from the International Labour Office/International Council of Nurses/World Health Organisation/Public Services International Workplace Violence in the Health Sector Country Case Study-Questionnaire.

Results: A large number of participants confirmed that they had been physically attacked or verbally abused in the workplace in the last 12 months. In most cases, the physical and verbal abuse was inflicted by patients and to a lesser degree by relatives of patients, staff members, or managers/supervisors. In the majority of cases, no action was taken to investigate the causes of the incidents. In most cases, participants believed there was no point in reporting the incidents. However, the reasons for not reporting or discussing incidents of workplace violence varied depending on the country.

Conclusion: Workplace violence towards nurses is a serious problem internationally, and violence prevention strategies need to be implemented.

Keywords: health sector; nurse; physical violence; pilot study; psychological violence.