Protocol for a Systematic Review of Verbal De-escalation Techniques for the Prevention and Management of Workplace Violence in Healthcare Settings

This project is a systematic review looking at how healthcare providers use verbal de-escalation techniques to prevent and manage workplace violence and patient aggression in clinical settings. Workplace violence is a growing concern in healthcare, and verbal de-escalation is often considered a first-line approach to reducing escalation and supporting safer interactions for both providers and patients. This review brings together the available evidence on how verbal de-escalation strategies are described, taught, and used in practice across different healthcare contexts. Since studies vary widely in design, interventions, and outcomes, the findings will be summarized using a narrative synthesis. The goal of this review is to clarify current practices, highlight gaps in the evidence, and provide insights to inform future training and research on workplace violence prevention in healthcare.