Invisible Crisis in the Emergency Department: Workplace Violence Against Healthcare Workers-A Descriptive Survey Study.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and consequences of workplace violence (WPV) in emergency care settings, including reporting behaviors.

METHODS

An online questionnaire was conducted among 660 emergency department (ED) healthcare workers (HCWs), covering types of violence, perpetrators, psychological impacts, and reporting behaviors.

RESULTS

A 97.4% of HCWs reported experiencing at least one violent incident. Verbal violence was the most prevalent (93.8%), followed by psychological pressure (59.1%) and physical violence (22.7%). Perpetrators were mainly patient companions (98.0%) and patients (60.3%). Nearly half (49.8%) had never reported violence. Consequences of the violence on HCWs included a loss of motivation (80.8%), anxiety (63.8%), and burnout (57.7%). About 85% associated violence with ED overcrowding.

CONCLUSIONS

WPV in EDs remains a public health and workforce safety issue. System-level interventions are needed to enhance safety and deterrence, reduce overcrowding, improve reporting, and strengthen institutional support.