Lydia E Hamblin1,2, Lynnette Essenmacher3, Mark J Upfal3,4, Jim Russell3, Mark Luborsky5,6, Joel Ager1, Judith E Arnetz1,7. 1. Department of Family Medicine and Public Health Sciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. 2. Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. 3. Detroit Medical Center Occupational Health Services, Detroit, MI, USA. 4. Department of Emergency Medicine, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. 5. Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA. 6. Department of Neurobiology, Caring Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. 7. Department of Public Health and Caring Sciences, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
Abstract
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify common catalysts of worker-to-worker violence and incivility in hospital settings. BACKGROUND: Worker-to-worker violence and incivility are prevalent forms of mistreatment in healthcare workplaces. These are forms of counterproductive work behaviour that can lead to negative outcomes for employees, patients and the organisation overall. Identifying the factors that lead to co-worker mistreatment is a critical first step in the development of interventions targeting these behaviours. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. METHODS: Qualitative content analysis was conducted on the total sample (n = 141) of employee incident reports of worker-to-worker violence and incivility that were documented in 2011 at a large American hospital system. RESULTS: More than 50% of the incidents involved nurses, and the majority of incidents did not involve physical violence. Two primary themes emerged from the analysis: Work Behaviour and Work Organisation. Incidents in the Work Behaviour category were often sparked by unprofessional behaviour, disagreement over responsibilities for work tasks or methods of patient care, and dissatisfaction with a co-worker's performance. Incidents in the Work Organisation category involved conflicts or aggression arising from failure to following protocol, patient assignments, limited resources and high workload. CONCLUSION: Incidents of worker-to-worker violence and incivility stemmed from dissatisfaction with employee behaviour or from organisational practices or work constraints. These incident descriptions reflect worker dissatisfaction and frustration, resulting from poor communication and collaboration between employees, all of which threaten work productivity. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Violence and incivility between hospital employees can contribute to turnover of top performers, hinder effective teamwork and jeopardise the quality of patient care. Identification of common catalysts for worker-to-worker violence and incivility informs the development of mistreatment prevention programmes that can be used to educate hospital staff.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To identify common catalysts of worker-to-worker violence and incivility in hospital settings. BACKGROUND: Worker-to-worker violence and incivility are prevalent forms of mistreatment in healthcare workplaces. These are forms of counterproductive work behaviour that can lead to negative outcomes for employees, patients and the organisation overall. Identifying the factors that lead to co-worker mistreatment is a critical first step in the development of interventions targeting these behaviours. DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. METHODS: Qualitative content analysis was conducted on the total sample (n = 141) of employee incident reports of worker-to-worker violence and incivility that were documented in 2011 at a large American hospital system. RESULTS: More than 50% of the incidents involved nurses, and the majority of incidents did not involve physical violence. Two primary themes emerged from the analysis: Work Behaviour and Work Organisation. Incidents in the Work Behaviour category were often sparked by unprofessional behaviour, disagreement over responsibilities for work tasks or methods of patient care, and dissatisfaction with a co-worker's performance. Incidents in the Work Organisation category involved conflicts or aggression arising from failure to following protocol, patient assignments, limited resources and high workload. CONCLUSION: Incidents of worker-to-worker violence and incivility stemmed from dissatisfaction with employee behaviour or from organisational practices or work constraints. These incident descriptions reflect worker dissatisfaction and frustration, resulting from poor communication and collaboration between employees, all of which threaten work productivity. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Violence and incivility between hospital employees can contribute to turnover of top performers, hinder effective teamwork and jeopardise the quality of patient care. Identification of common catalysts for worker-to-worker violence and incivility informs the development of mistreatment prevention programmes that can be used to educate hospital staff.
Authors: Lydia E Hamblin; Lynnette Essenmacher; Joel Ager; Mark Upfal; Mark Luborsky; Jim Russell; Judith Arnetz Journal: Workplace Health Saf Date: 2015-10-08 Impact factor: 1.413
Authors: Anja Schablon; Dana Wendeler; Agnessa Kozak; Albert Nienhaus; Susanne Steinke Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-06-15 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Glory E Mgboji; Fasika A Woreta; Michael J Fliotsos; Sidra Zafar; Joseph Ssekasanvu; Divya Srikumaran; Jiawei Zhao; Daniel L Buccino; Linda Regan Journal: AEM Educ Train Date: 2021-08-01