Violence against healthcare professionals: perspective of local focal points in the south of Portugal

Abstract

Background Violence against health professionals is a growing problem that affects the quality of care provided and the well-being of workers. In the Alentejo region (Southern Portugal), the Regional Health Administration has been developing strategies to prevent and combat this phenomenon, namely, through the implementation of the Action Plan for the Prevention of Violence in the Health Sector. Violence in the health sector includes all situations in which a worker in the Ministry of Health's health institutions is exposed to any type of violence related to their work, putting their safety, well-being or health at risk, or that of others. The aim of this study was to analyze the perceptions and practices of local focal points (e.g.,departments, services, offices or functional units) on violence against health professionals in the Alentejo region.

Methods Semi-structured interviews were carried out local focal points in the Alentejo region. The sampling was selected for convenience from different health units. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed according to the analysis protocol of the IRaMuTeQ software (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) version 0.7 alpha 2.

Results In total, 43 interviews were conducted between February and April 2024. Interviews revealed that local focal points face various challenges in combating violence against health workers. The lack of specific training, the scarcity of security resources and the culture of underreporting were some of the obstacles identified. However, participants also stressed the importance of teamwork, effective communication and institutional support in dealing with this problem.

Conclusions Violence against health professionals is a worrying reality that requires effective measures to prevent and combat it, requiring a coordinated and multifaceted response. Local focal points play a key role in this process, but they need adequate training, resources and institutional support. Comprehensive and regular training programs on violence, interpersonal communication and conflict management, and investment in security resources, including physical and technological measures, should be implemented in health facilities. Clear protocols should be created for dealing with situations of violence and a culture of reporting situations of violence to health professionals should be promoted, as well as the monitoring of victims by the authorities involved in cases of violence. Ongoing training and the simulation of real-life scenarios are crucial for preparing professionals to effectively manage situations of violence.