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Workplace violence in trauma centers is a serious problem: an AAST Disaster Committee survey on assaults on trauma
Amy E Liepert1, Mary E Fallat2, Jeannette M Capella3
1Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego Health System, San Diego, California, USA.
Objective:
Violence against healthcare workers (HCWs), especially in emergency departments and trauma centers (TCs), is a significant and growing problem. HCWs have the highest numbers and annual rates of workplace violence (WPV) compared with any other private industry sector. There is less information about the rates of violence and stalking against trauma providers in TCs. We hypothesized that a majority of trauma surgeons and team members have experienced deliberate assaults in their TCs. Our secondary hypothesis was that a majority of trauma providers consider WPV a significant issue in their workplace.
Methods:
The American Association for Surgery of Trauma Disaster Committee invited 2,100 members to participate in an online survey in May and July 2024. Questions evaluated practice type, TC characteristics, training, experience with WPV, beliefs about WPV prevention, and potential WPV prevention strategies interventions.
Results:
The survey response rate was 10.9%, yet the prevalence of WPV in TCs was reported to be high. 63.9% of respondents were aware of a deliberate assault on an HCW in their TC or system. 42.5% had been assaulted personally, and 7.5% suffered injury as a result of a deliberate assault. Respondents generally agreed on the need for WPV prevention measures such as prevention education, metal detectors, armed police, or security, and were aware of deaths and disabilities among HCWs after assaults. However, they did not personally see WPV as a significant issue in their TCs.
Conclusions:
There is a high prevalence of WPV with significant effects on the entire trauma workforce, including elevated levels of emotional distress, burnout, post-traumatic stress disorder, and long-term irreversible physical injuries and deaths. Respondents agreed on the need for preventive measures but did not view WPV as a major issue in their own TCs. Research into this discrepancy, as well as effective strategies to reduce WPV in TCs, would support advocacy for improved legislation and policies aimed at preventing WPV in healthcare.
Level Of Evidence:
V - Survey of expert opinion.
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