Nurses and midwives reporting of workplace violence and aggression: an integrative review

["Who cares about us?" Results of a cross-sectional study on the psychosocial health of obstetricians and midwives after traumatic birth experiences]

BACKGROUND

Traumatic births not only cause emotional stress for expectant parents but can also affect the psychosocial health of midwives and obstetricians due to their professional demands.

AIM

To evaluate the impact of traumatic birth experiences on the psychosocial health of obstetric healthcare professionals.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study using validated measurement tools (Impact of Event Scale Revised IES-R, Copenhagen Burnout Inventory CBI) and assessing post-traumatic growth (PGI-SF) through an online survey of midwives and obstetricians in German-speaking areas.

RESULTS

The study included 700 participants with peripartum and/or personal traumas. Of the 528 participants who completed the IES-R, 33 (6.3%) with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) received less support from colleagues (p = 0.007) and were more likely to experience workplace consequences (p < 0.001) than participants without PTSD. A moderate to high level of burnout was found in 66.2% of the 542 participants who completed the CBI. Personal growth through experiencing trauma was reported by 75.9% of the 528 participants who completed the PGI-SF.

CONCLUSION

The psychosocial health of midwives and obstetricians is at risk due to traumatic birth experiences. Screening tests and the provision of collegial and professional debriefings to strengthen resilience are essential preventive interventions.

Support mechanisms that enable emergency nurses to cope with aggression and violence: Perspectives from New Zealand nurses

BACKGROUND

Although efforts to reduce aggression and violence in emergency departments are important, it is also critical to minimise harm and support staff where this occurs. This research describes support mechanisms emergency nurses value when they experience occupational aggression and violence.

METHODS

A mixed-methods design including thematic analysis of six interviews and descriptive analysis of fifty-one surveys, with experienced emergency nurse participants and respondents from a single large urban emergency department.

RESULTS

Four key themes summarised coping with aggression and violence: Minimising exacerbating factors (mental health, lack of understanding of zero tolerance in practice, and wait times); Support before violence (use of huddles and having experienced nurses on each shift); Support during violence (education including restraint, self-defence, de-escalation and legalities); and Support after violence (debriefing, incident reporting and a sense of 'toughness') CONCLUSION: Emergency nurses need preparation and support to competently manage complex mental health presentations, understand legal rights, communicate effectively with patients, families and colleagues and access event debriefing. Security staff are valued team members but also need adequate resourcing and preparation.

Workplace violence against Bangladeshi registered nurses: A survey following a year of the COVID-19 pandemic

AIMS

To investigate the prevalence of workplace violence and its associated factors among Bangladeshi registered nurses.

BACKGROUND

Workplace violence is prevalent among nurses, particularly in developing countries. However, the issue has never been examined in Bangladeshi nurses.

METHODS

Between February 26 and July 10, 2021, this cross-sectional survey involving 1264 registered nurses was conducted. Workplace violence was determined by the Workplace Violence Scale (WVS). A multivariable logistic regression model was fitted to find the factors associated with workplace violence. This study complies with the EQUATOR (STROBE) checklist.

RESULTS

Of the 1264 nurses, 885 (70%) nurses reported being exposed to workplace violence in the previous year. Three hundred twenty-four (324; 25.6%) nurses reported physical violence, whereas 902 (71.4%) nurses reported nonphysical violence. According to the multivariable logistic regression model, male nurses, nurses in the Sylhet division, emergency department nurses, nurses working extended hours, and non trained nurses to tackle workplace violence were prone to physical violence. Furthermore, public hospital nurses and non trained nurses to tackle workplace violence were more likely to be exposed to nonphysical violence. Nurses who had not been exposed to workplace violence were satisfied with their current job, but those who had been exposed to workplace violence were dissatisfied and intended to leave their current job.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY

High prevalence of workplace violence underscores nurses' current working conditions, which are particularly poor in public hospitals and emergency departments. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic put unprecedented pressure on the whole healthcare system and caused various difficulties for healthcare workers. To develop a zero-violence practice environment, health authorities should implement policy-level interventions. Healthcare staff should be guided to deal more successfully with patients and coworkers to create a positive working environment.