The impact of workplace violence on healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 outbreak
The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers, exposing them to unprecedented levels of aggression. Incidents of verbal abuse, threats, and physical assaults have increased, especially in high-stress environments such as emergency departments and intensive...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Public Health in Practice |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535224001095 |
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| author | C. Mento G. Pandolfo G. Spatari M.C. Silvestri I. Formica A. Bruno G. Falgares M.R.A. Muscatello C. La Barbiera A. De Carlo |
| author_facet | C. Mento G. Pandolfo G. Spatari M.C. Silvestri I. Formica A. Bruno G. Falgares M.R.A. Muscatello C. La Barbiera A. De Carlo |
| author_sort | C. Mento |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers, exposing them to unprecedented levels of aggression. Incidents of verbal abuse, threats, and physical assaults have increased, especially in high-stress environments such as emergency departments and intensive care units, exacerbating psychological challenges for healthcare staff. This commentary explores the profound impact of WPV on healthcare workers' mental health and job satisfaction. Dehumanization - treating healthcare workers as resources rather than individuals - is a key factor that fuels aggression and undermines empathy within healthcare settings. WPV not only affects the personal well-being of healthcare professionals but also compromises patient care quality and the efficiency of healthcare systems. Effective strategies are urgently needed to address WPV, such as comprehensive training in de-escalation techniques, organizational policies, and enhanced safety protocols. An integrated approach that combines psychological support, policy reform, and preventive measures is essential to ensure a safer and more resilient healthcare environment for the future. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-71d8c24f2a454a76af88de8cc2fa65a2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2666-5352 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Public Health in Practice |
| spelling | doaj-art-71d8c24f2a454a76af88de8cc2fa65a22025-01-04T04:57:12ZengElsevierPublic Health in Practice2666-53522025-06-019100572The impact of workplace violence on healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 outbreakC. Mento0G. Pandolfo1G. Spatari2M.C. Silvestri3I. Formica4A. Bruno5G. Falgares6M.R.A. Muscatello7C. La Barbiera8A. De Carlo9Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyPsychiatry Unit, Polyclinic Hospital University of Messina, Messina, ItalyDepartment of Psychological and Pedagogical Sciences and Cultural Studies, University of Messina, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyDepartment of Psychology, Educational Science and Human Movement, University of Palermo, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyDepartment of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy; Corresponding author. Dept. of Health Sciences, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, ItalyThe COVID-19 pandemic has intensified workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare workers, exposing them to unprecedented levels of aggression. Incidents of verbal abuse, threats, and physical assaults have increased, especially in high-stress environments such as emergency departments and intensive care units, exacerbating psychological challenges for healthcare staff. This commentary explores the profound impact of WPV on healthcare workers' mental health and job satisfaction. Dehumanization - treating healthcare workers as resources rather than individuals - is a key factor that fuels aggression and undermines empathy within healthcare settings. WPV not only affects the personal well-being of healthcare professionals but also compromises patient care quality and the efficiency of healthcare systems. Effective strategies are urgently needed to address WPV, such as comprehensive training in de-escalation techniques, organizational policies, and enhanced safety protocols. An integrated approach that combines psychological support, policy reform, and preventive measures is essential to ensure a safer and more resilient healthcare environment for the future.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535224001095Workplace violenceHealthcare workersCOVID-19 pandemicPreventive strategiesDehumanization |
| spellingShingle | C. Mento G. Pandolfo G. Spatari M.C. Silvestri I. Formica A. Bruno G. Falgares M.R.A. Muscatello C. La Barbiera A. De Carlo The impact of workplace violence on healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 outbreak Public Health in Practice Workplace violence Healthcare workers COVID-19 pandemic Preventive strategies Dehumanization |
| title | The impact of workplace violence on healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 outbreak |
| title_full | The impact of workplace violence on healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 outbreak |
| title_fullStr | The impact of workplace violence on healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 outbreak |
| title_full_unstemmed | The impact of workplace violence on healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 outbreak |
| title_short | The impact of workplace violence on healthcare workers during and after the COVID-19 outbreak |
| title_sort | impact of workplace violence on healthcare workers during and after the covid 19 outbreak |
| topic | Workplace violence Healthcare workers COVID-19 pandemic Preventive strategies Dehumanization |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666535224001095 |
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