Injuries to workers in healthcare settings usually involve overexertion or falling, such as strained muscles from lifting a patient or slipping on a wet floor.
[3] The definition can be extended to include the fact that aggression can be physical, verbal, active or passive and be directly or indirectly focused at the victim–with or without the use of a weapon, and possibly incorporating psychological or emotional tactics.
For the organisation, greater financial costs can be incurred due increased absences, early retirement and reduced quality of care.
Rude remarks from patients or their family members can distract healthcare professionals and cause them to make mistakes during a medical procedure.
[9] A survey from the British National Audit Office (2003) stated that aggression and violence accounted for 40% of reported health and safety incidents amongst healthcare workers.
[14] It was stated that nonfatal injuries because of aggression were three times more frequent against health care professionals than private industry workers.
[16]: 17 Patients who experience poverty or social exclusion, or lack the language of cultural competence to interact with physicians are more likely to be involved in violence.
A systematic review on theoretical framings suggested an indisciplinary approach to capture the nuances of violence in a healthcare setting.
In a study, it was found that somewhere between sixty and ninety percent of nurses are exposed to physical or verbal violence at some point in their work.
The article states, "A systematic review of 68 studies found workplace violence was most strongly associated with negative psychological outcomes, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances and fatigue".
[5] Training is therefore usually offered by organizations with regard to assertiveness, and deals mainly with improving self-esteem, self-confidence and interpersonal communication.
[40] A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) in 2003 found that, within mental health trusts, a reactionary approach tends to prioritise over prevention.
[24] Breakaway techniques, restraint, rapid tranquilisation or isolation tend to be recommended when violence is instigated with a failure to prevent aggression.