A workplace violence educational program: a repeated measures study

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Occupational Safety
• Emergency Medicine

Background:

• Workplace violence against healthcare employees is a critical global issue, particularly in emergency departments.
• Prevention-focused education is a key strategy to mitigate the risks associated with such violence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the learning outcomes and knowledge retention of a workplace violence prevention educational program.
• The program was specifically designed for the unique needs of emergency department staff.

Main Methods:

• A quasi-experimental design was employed to assess knowledge retention.
• A hybrid educational intervention combining online and classroom components was delivered.
• One hundred twenty emergency department employees participated, with data collected at baseline, posttest, and six-month follow-up.

Main Results:

• A repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed a significant time effect on test scores (Wilk's Λ = .390, F(2, 118) = 26.554, p < .001, η² = .310).
• Polynomial contrasts showed a significant linear increase in knowledge over time (F(1, 119) = 53.454, p < .001, η² = .310).
• Individual test scores demonstrated significant improvement across all measurement periods.

Conclusions:

• The hybrid educational modality is effective in achieving significant learning outcomes and knowledge retention.
• This educational approach positively impacts emergency department employees' understanding of workplace violence prevention.
• Implementing tailored prevention programs can enhance safety and reduce violence in healthcare settings.