Addressing health workers’ exposure to violence at Lebanese emergency departments: What do the stakeholders think?

Abstract

Healthcare settings are notorious for exposing their employees to high levels of verbal and physical violence. A recent study on occupational violence at Lebanese Emergency Departments (EDs) revealed that 70% of surveyed ED workers were exposed to at least one incidence of violence over the last twelve months. Acting on the findings of this study a multi-stakeholder policy forum was held with key ED stakeholders to discuss possible policy and practice changes to reduce health workers’ exposure to occupational violence. Stakeholder deliberations revealed that the root causes of violence in EDs could be classified under three main categories relating to the administration of EDs including the presence of antiviolence policies, the management of human resources, and balancing patient expectations. Stakeholders built a consensus on a number of remedial actions at the societal, health care facility and policy levels. Engaging with various stakeholders in an open forum was a unique initiative that contributed to building a consensus among key stakeholders on a road map to help protect health workers in EDs and beyond.