Workplace Aggression in Cuban Health Care Settings

Workplace aggression (WPA) is an international problem; however, no published reports of WPA in Cuba were found. This research describes WPA in Cuba and identifies prevention strategies for adoption in the United States.

A qualitative case study design was used. Procedures included visiting several health care settings in the region of Havana, Cuba. Interviews were conducted with 18 Cuban key informants and digital photographs documented the environment.

WPA is a rare occurrence and typically demonstrates as verbal abuse. The use of illicit substances and prolonged wait times, common U.S. factors associated with WPA, are less problematic in Cuba.

Primary reasons for the low incidence of WPA may be the caring Cuban culture itself, tolerance for wait times, and less access to illicit and controlled substances.

Adopting Cuba's model to acknowledge WPA risk and implement prevention plans could reduce WPA incidence in the United States.