A model of multidimensional intervention for the prevention and management of violence and stress in emergency department healthcare professionals

Marina Cannavò; Mario Fioravanti

Marina Cannavò Local Health Unit Roma 2
Mario Fioravanti Department of Neurology and Psychiatry University of Rome Sapienza

Keywords: Aggression, violence, workplace violence, healthcare workers, emergency department, stress, mental health

Abstract

Aims:The study proposes a model of multidimensional intervention for the prevention and management of violence and stress.

Discussion:In current research models only a few studies address the prevention of stress as a result from violence, the importance of early recognition of the psychological disorders in the healthcare professionals and the efficacy of interventions to improve worker health and reduce sick leave.

Commitment from hospital administrators, ED managers and hospital security is necessary to facilitate improvement and ensure a safer workplace for ED healthcare workers. Our study emphasizes the importance of analyzing, in addition to general job demands, the specific job demands such as the risk of violence, considered a key risk factor, predictor of stress and possible mental disorders in healthcare workers operating in high-risk environments.

Conclusions:This study confirms the importance of application of the integrated multidimensional intervention model on the prevention of workplace violence and stress, the treatment and the psychological support for all those who reported they have felt stressed or those who are at risk of stress following the attacks, because emotional and psychological consequences and job dissatisfaction impact on the quality of life of the attacked healthcare professionals and reduce their quality of nursing care for the patients, with a higher risk of errors, accidents and absenteeism in the workplace. The multidimensional intervention model shall be implemented on all three levels: individual, organizational and situational.