Submission ID 118207
| Issue/Objective | Workplace violence (WPV) in healthcare settings is increasing, with nurses being particularly vulnerable due to their frontline roles. WPV leads to job dissatisfaction and severe psychological effects, such as burnout and anxiety, which can hinder quality patient care. From the perspective of healthcare organizations, WPV not only compromises patient care, as nurses are preoccupied with navigating an unsafe work environment, but it also has significant financial consequences, including high nurse turnover and the costs associated with treatment and insurance for affected staff. In Pakistan, WPV against nurses is a significant problem. This study aims to identify the existing WPV situation in Pakistan. |
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| Methodology/Approach | This study uses a qualitative descriptive design to explore participants' perceptions of the existing WPV situation in one private and one public healthcare setting in Pakistan. This approach aligns with a constructivist paradigm, seeking a deeper understanding of the issue by interviewing knowledgeable stakeholders about the phenomenon and the context. Altogether, 17 in-depth interviews were conducted with nurses, nursing supervisors, and nursing administrators, and four meetings were held with individuals from the human resources department at each hospital. Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis process was utilized for data analysis. |
| Results | The study participants shared their unique perspectives about the WPV situation in Pakistan. The key themes that derive from the study findings are (a) factors contributing to WPV, (b) common types and perpetrators of WPV, and (c) consequences of WPV on nurses' physical and psychological health. These broader themes are further categorized into various subthemes. To better differentiate, the contributing factors are grouped into three major categories: (a) individual, (b) organizational, and (c) societal. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The findings of this study are meant to inform healthcare administrators and policymakers to implement violence prevention strategies and, by so doing, provide safe working conditions for nurses. Overall, a safe work environment must be the overriding priority for healthcare organizations, where nurses can provide quality care without feeling threatened. This study also contributes to the key global sustainable development goals of "peace, justice, and strong institutions. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Rozina Somani University of Toronto Carles Muntaner University of Toronto Rozina Somani University of Toronto Edith Hillan University of Toronto Peter Smith Institute for Work and Health Alisa Velonis School of Public Health, Division of Community Health Sciences, Chicago |
