Abstract
Background: Prehospital emergency care personnel (PECP) provide critical care and transportation for the ill and injured in unpredictable and often risky environments. A significant risk faced by PECPs is exposure to workplace violence (WPV). Recent trends indicate an increasing incidence of WPV, leading to negative consequences for PECPs. There is also a general lack of reporting on WPV which has hindered any potential mitigation or prevention strategies. Investigating and describing the experiences of WPV by PECP provides a better understanding of and highlights potential measures to decrease the amount of WPV that PECP experience.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate and describe WPV experienced by PECP working in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Methods: The study followed a sequential explanatory mixed methods design that was divided into two distinct phases; Phase One and Phase Two. Phase One consisted of using a purpose designed validated questionnaire. The data from Phase One was analysed and reported on and mixing occurred when the interview agenda and questions were formed from the findings for Phase Two. Phase Two involved face-to-face, semi-structured interviews.
Results: The study obtained a total of 107 respondents for Phase One. Phase One found that the incidence of WPV was high, and verbal violence was the most common form of WPV experienced, followed by physical violence, and sexual violence. There was also a high amount of underreporting of WPV by respondents. Phase Two further explored the results from Phase One and found that participants highlighted factors such as substance abuse, lack of law enforcement, and poor communication between work colleagues as some of the contributors towards WPV. Participants had also suggested educating the public, using more red zones, and building better relationships with law enforcement as some of the ways to reduce WPV.
Conclusion: This study highlights the serious and growing issue of WPV by PECP. The high incidence of WPV, stemming from patients, bystanders, and family members, emphasises the multifaceted nature of this problem, with causes ranging from social and environmental
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factors to interpersonal dynamics at the workplace. Tackling WPV in EMS requires a holistic approach that includes improved training, robust reporting systems, and enhanced communication within teams. It is essential for both management and law enforcement to actively support efforts to de-escalate violent situations, ensuring the safety of PECPs.