Individual and collective exposure to workplace violence of pre-hospital Emergency Care providers in urban Cape Town

Abstract

Background: Interpersonal violence is an act committed by individuals but is an attribute of society; thus, interpersonal violence is considered a social construct. Such violence is nuanced when it occurs in the course of one‟s work. Workplace violence is a worldwide phenomenon that is found in South African healthcare where it threatens the safety of healthcare providers at their workplace. Violence epidemiology shows South Africa to be among the most violent countries. Attacks on ambulance personnel and threats to service delivery appear with increased frequency, yet there is still a paucity of research evidence of this manifestation of interpersonal violence. Methods: The study followed a quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive design. Quantitative research involved numerical analysis of data by means of a structured, self-administered and validated questionnaire instrument. Results: Of 254 emergency care providers that were invited to participate, 146 responded (57.6%). The majority of participants (81%; n=119) experienced at least one incident of workplace violence during the 12 month period preceding the survey. The dichotomy of workplace violence is physical (n=42; 29%) and non-physical violence (53%; n=77). The latter includes verbal abuse (77%), sexual harassment (26%), bullying (37%) and racial harassment (47%). Major perpetrators of physical violence (Type I) are the general public and non-physical violence (Type II) was perpetrated by patients (n=87, 60%) and patients friends and relatives (n=83; 57%). The majority of respondents (n=102, 69%) were very concerned about their exposure to violence and violence risk which carries a concomitant risk of negative physical and psychological effects. Such victimology may affect the victim‟s family and friends, as well as the organisation. Conclusion: The self-reported exposure to workplace violence is prevalent in the Cape Town Emergency Medical Service. Understanding the nature and extent of workplace violence will likely enable problem-specific solutions to be derived.