Photovoice in Aggression Management Training for Medical and Nursing Students-A Pilot Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Workplace Safety
• Psychiatric Nursing

Background:

• Patient aggression towards healthcare staff is a significant global issue.
• Aggression Management Programs (AMPs) aim to mitigate consequences and improve staff confidence.
• Enhancing engagement in mandatory AMP training is crucial for effective learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To pilot an adapted photovoice activity to improve engagement in a 30-hour AMP training.
• To explore medical and nursing students' perceptions and experiences of patient aggression.
• To assess the contribution of photovoice to linking subjective experiences with theoretical knowledge.

Main Methods:

• An adapted photovoice methodology was implemented with 58 medicine and nursing students.
• Participants took photos representing their experiences with patient aggression in the workplace.
• Photos were discussed in a course session to facilitate reflection and understanding.

Main Results:

• Photovoice revealed diverse types of aggression in psychiatric settings and their impact on patients and students.
• Visual strategies included depicting aggressive encounters, control tools, and the emotional toll of aggression.
• The activity fostered student reflection on personal perspectives and integrated subjective experiences with learning.

Conclusions:

• Integrating photovoice into AMP training enhances student engagement and reflective learning on patient aggression.
• The method helps students connect personal experiences with theoretical concepts of workplace aggression.
• Future research should include quantitative measures to assess changes in empathy, attitudes, or critical thinking.