The paradox of workplace violence in the intensive care unit : a focus group study
(2024) In Critical Care 28(1).- Abstract
Background: Conflicts with patients and relatives occur frequently in intensive care units (ICUs), driven by factors that are intensified by critical illness and its treatments. A majority of ICU healthcare professionals have experienced verbal and/or physical violence. There is a need to understand how healthcare professionals in ICUs experience and manage this workplace violence. Methods: A qualitative descriptive analysis of four hospitals in Sweden was conducted using semi-structured focus-group interviews with ICU healthcare professionals. Results: A total of 34 participants (14 nurses, 6 physicians and 14 other staff) were interviewed across the four hospitals. The overarching theme: “The paradox of violence in healthcare”... (More)
Background: Conflicts with patients and relatives occur frequently in intensive care units (ICUs), driven by factors that are intensified by critical illness and its treatments. A majority of ICU healthcare professionals have experienced verbal and/or physical violence. There is a need to understand how healthcare professionals in ICUs experience and manage this workplace violence. Methods: A qualitative descriptive analysis of four hospitals in Sweden was conducted using semi-structured focus-group interviews with ICU healthcare professionals. Results: A total of 34 participants (14 nurses, 6 physicians and 14 other staff) were interviewed across the four hospitals. The overarching theme: “The paradox of violence in healthcare” illustrated a normalisation of violence in ICU care and indicated a complex association between healthcare professionals regarding violence as an integral aspect of caregiving, while simultaneously identifying themselves as victims of this violence. The healthcare professionals described being poorly prepared and lacking appropriate tools to manage violent situations. The management of violence was therefore mostly based on self-taught skills. Conclusions: This study contributes to understanding the normalisation of violence in ICU care and gives a possible explanation for its origins. The paradox involves a multifaceted approach that acknowledges and confronts the structural and cultural dimensions of violence in healthcare. Such an approach will lay the foundations for a more sustainable healthcare system.
(Less)
- author
- Sjöberg, Fredric ; Salzmann-Erikson, Martin ; Åkerman, Eva LU ; Joelsson-Alm, Eva and Schandl, Anna
- organization
- publishing date
- 2024-12
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- Aggression, Critical care, Focus groups, Healthcare, Hospital, Professionals, Staff-patient relations, Workers, Workplace violence
- in
- Critical Care
- volume
- 28
- issue
- 1
- article number
- 232
- publisher
- BioMed Central (BMC)
- external identifiers
-
- pmid:38992709
- scopus:85198495641
- ISSN
- 1364-8535
- DOI
- 10.1186/s13054-024-05028-5
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 688dd18f-db61-4906-84d2-fde10defa39e
- date added to LUP
- 2024-08-26 11:55:07
- date last changed
- 2024-09-09 13:08:21
@article{688dd18f-db61-4906-84d2-fde10defa39e,
abstract = {{<p>Background: Conflicts with patients and relatives occur frequently in intensive care units (ICUs), driven by factors that are intensified by critical illness and its treatments. A majority of ICU healthcare professionals have experienced verbal and/or physical violence. There is a need to understand how healthcare professionals in ICUs experience and manage this workplace violence. Methods: A qualitative descriptive analysis of four hospitals in Sweden was conducted using semi-structured focus-group interviews with ICU healthcare professionals. Results: A total of 34 participants (14 nurses, 6 physicians and 14 other staff) were interviewed across the four hospitals. The overarching theme: “The paradox of violence in healthcare” illustrated a normalisation of violence in ICU care and indicated a complex association between healthcare professionals regarding violence as an integral aspect of caregiving, while simultaneously identifying themselves as victims of this violence. The healthcare professionals described being poorly prepared and lacking appropriate tools to manage violent situations. The management of violence was therefore mostly based on self-taught skills. Conclusions: This study contributes to understanding the normalisation of violence in ICU care and gives a possible explanation for its origins. The paradox involves a multifaceted approach that acknowledges and confronts the structural and cultural dimensions of violence in healthcare. Such an approach will lay the foundations for a more sustainable healthcare system.</p>}},
author = {{Sjöberg, Fredric and Salzmann-Erikson, Martin and Åkerman, Eva and Joelsson-Alm, Eva and Schandl, Anna}},
issn = {{1364-8535}},
keywords = {{Aggression; Critical care; Focus groups; Healthcare; Hospital; Professionals; Staff-patient relations; Workers; Workplace violence}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{1}},
publisher = {{BioMed Central (BMC)}},
series = {{Critical Care}},
title = {{The paradox of workplace violence in the intensive care unit : a focus group study}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s13054-024-05028-5}},
doi = {{10.1186/s13054-024-05028-5}},
volume = {{28}},
year = {{2024}},
}