Violence Against the Medical and Nursing Staff in the Emergency Department

Introduction: Emergency department nurses are at increased risk of becoming the primary victims of patient violence compared to other clinicians working in the emergency setting. Nurses who experience patient violence may suffer from psychological, emotional, cognitive, and social consequences, which can change how they engage in their daily work and their professions. While there is research exploring how emergency department nurses experience patient violence, less is known about how patient violence affects their practice. Aim: The aim of this research is to explore the phenomenon of violence in Emergency Departments, the attitude of doctors and nurses in dealing with the phenomenon, and the consequences of violence in the workplace. Methodology: A quantitative descriptive study was conducted using an anonymous self-completed questionnaire of 26 questions among doctors and nurses working in the Emergency Department in a tertiary hospital in Northern Greece. One hundred three people participated in the survey. Statistical analysis was done with the SPSS 26 IBM statistical package at significant level a= 0.05. Results: The results revealed a high incidence of violence in Emergency Departments, mainly verbal, perpetrated by patients and relatives. Incidents occurred more frequently during night shifts and in medical units. Insufficient security measures and underreporting of violent events were identified as major concerns affecting healthcare professionals. Conclusions: Violence in Emergency Departments represents a serious occupational hazard, negatively affecting staff mental health and professional practice, highlighting the need for targeted training and strengthened security measures to protect healthcare professionals.