The Perception and Expectation Regarding Hospital Violence Management among Healthcare Workers in Emergency and Intensive Care Units

Abstract

Introduction The violence perpetrated by patients and their relatives to healthcare workers continuously increases. Studying the perception and expectation of healthcare workers regarding hospital management is crucial for effective direction to prevent and address such instances of violence. 

Objectives To study perceptions and expectations of healthcare workers towards hospital violence management among healthcare workers in emergency and intensive care units, both at the unit and hospital levels 

Design A descriptive research using the workplace violence administrative guideline as the conceptual framework of the study 

Methodology The participants comprised 111 healthcare workers, including 79 registered nurses and 32 other healthcare workers, working in the emergency and intensive care units of a University Hospital in Phitsanulok province. The participants were selected through purposive sampling according to the inclusion criteria. The sample size was determined based on Yamane’s principles. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that encompassed personal information, perceptions, and expectations regarding the hospital violence management at the unit and hospital levels, and open-ended questions. The content validity of the research instrument was examined by qualified experts, yielding an index of item – objective congruence at .96. The reliabilities of the instrument were assessed, resulting in Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of .98 and .97 for the perception and expectation questionnaires, respectively. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics. 

Results The majority of the participants were females (82.9%) and registered nurses (71.2%). Perceptions of the hospital’s violence management, both at the unit and hospital levels, were at moderate levels (M=3.04, SD=0.71; M=2.80, SD=0.83, respectively), while expectations for violence management were at high levels (M=4.42, SD=0.75; M=4.42, SD=0.86, respectively). The participants’ perceptions of violence management in the emergency unit were rated from low to moderate, while the intensive care unit fell within the moderate level. Findings from open-ended questions revealed that the participants suggested clear measures and guidelines for violence management. 

Recommendation Hospitals should establish clear measures and guidelines for managing violence within healthcare facilities, especially in emergency units, to support the expectations of healthcare workers.