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Workplace Violence against Health Care Providers in Emergency Departments of Public Hospitals in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Osama Al Khatib

    (Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Hana Taha

    (Department of Pharmacology, Public Health and Clinical Skills, Faculty of Medicine, The Hashemite University, P.O. Box 330127, Zarqa 13133, Jordan
    Department of Neuroscience, Caring Science and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden)

  • Lujain Al Omari

    (Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Mohammed Qussay Al-Sabbagh

    (Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA)

  • Abdallah Al-Ani

    (Office of Scientific Affairs and Research, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman 11941, Jordan)

  • Faysal Massad

    (Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan)

  • Vanja Berggren

    (Department of Neuroscience, Caring Science and Society, Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden)

Abstract

Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare providers is a serious problem that carries health, safety, and legal consequences. Healthcare providers working in emergency departments (ED) are more susceptible to WPV compared to other healthcare settings. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of physical and verbal violence against ED physicians and nurses in public hospitals in Amman, Jordan, and to explore the relationship between WPV and the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to assess physical and verbal violence against ED physicians and nurses. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 67 physicians and 96 nurses from three public hospitals in Amman. In the past year, 33% and 53% of the participants experienced physical and verbal violence, respectively. Compared to their female counterparts, males were more frequently physically (43.7% vs. 2.3%, p -value < 0.001) and verbally (61.3% vs. 29.5%, p -value < 0.001) abused. The main perpetrators of physical and verbal violence were the patients’ relatives. Out of 53 physical and 86 verbal abuse incidents, only 15 cases (10.8%) were followed up with legal persecution. In conclusion, there is a widespread occurrence of physical and verbal violence against ED physicians and nurses in the public sector hospitals in Jordan. A collaborative effort by all stakeholders should be instituted to ensure the safety of the physicians and nurses and to improve the quality of the healthcare provided.

Suggested Citation

  • Osama Al Khatib & Hana Taha & Lujain Al Omari & Mohammed Qussay Al-Sabbagh & Abdallah Al-Ani & Faysal Massad & Vanja Berggren, 2023. "Workplace Violence against Health Care Providers in Emergency Departments of Public Hospitals in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-11, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3675-:d:1073364
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Raeda Fawzi AbuAlRub & Abdullah Talal Al Khawaldeh, 2014. "Workplace physical violence among hospital nurses and physicians in underserved areas in Jordan," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(13-14), pages 1937-1947, July.
    2. Mohamad Alameddine & Yara Mourad & Hani Dimassi, 2015. "A National Study on Nurses’ Exposure to Occupational Violence in Lebanon: Prevalence, Consequences and Associated Factors," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(9), pages 1-15, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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