Table 1 Coding scheme
From: Healthcare workers’ experiences of workplace violence: a qualitative study in Lebanon
Main Themes | Sub-Themes | Codes |
|---|---|---|
Types of violence | Verbal abuse | Shouting, Swearing, Derogatory Remarks, Cursing |
Physical Violence | Hitting, Kicking, Pushing | |
Nonverbal or Subtle Forms of Violence | Body Language, Tone of Voice | |
Weapons use and Threats | Use of Weapons, Threats | |
Events Witnessed | Verbal Abuse | Threats, Shouting, Cursing |
Physical Aggression | Punching, slapping, physical injury (bone fractures) | |
Introduction of Weapons | Weapons brought into the hospital environment | |
Staff reaction to violence | Strategies for Dealing with Violence | Submission to aggressor’s demands, physically remove themselves from the situation, Running away to a safer location |
Fear and Avoidance | Fear of being attacked at work, Fear of being followed and harassed outside of work, Prioritizing self-protection | |
Seeking External Assistance | Calling security guards, Asking for help from police | |
Causes of violence | Hospital related causes | Lack of security staff, Lack of intervention by army checkpoint, Laborious billing procedure for outpatients, Lack of clear visitation policy, Staff shortages, Inadequate facilities and resources |
Patient related causes | Financial stress of patients, Expectation of free treatment, long waiting times, Culture of favoritism, Insufficient medical knowledge of patients and families, Unrealistic expectations of healthcare staff, Misunderstanding of medical information |