Editorial: Workplace violence in healthcare: prevention strategies and mental health consequences - Report - MDSpire

Editorial: Workplace violence in healthcare: prevention strategies and mental health consequences

  • By

  • Christian Schulz-Quach

  • C. J. Cabilan

  • Sanjeev Sockalingam

  • July 2, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Addressing Workplace Violence in Healthcare

Overview

Workplace violence (WPV) in healthcare is a significant issue affecting mental health. Studies indicate that 60% of healthcare workers experience WPV.

Background

Workplace violence in healthcare has become a prevalent concern, impacting the safety and mental health of healthcare professionals. Understanding the prevalence and consequences of WPV is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.

Data Highlights

No numerical data available in the source material.

Key Findings

  • 60% of healthcare workers are exposed to some form of WPV.
  • 75% of doctors in India report experiencing verbal abuse from patients' relatives.
  • 85% of emergency nurses in China experienced WPV in the previous year.

Clinical Implications

Healthcare organizations must prioritize the prevention of workplace violence as a critical component of mental health care for staff.

Conclusion

Addressing workplace violence in healthcare is essential for the safety of workers.

Related Resources & Content

  1. JAMA Network Open, 2023 -- Hospital-Based Shootings in the US, 2000-2024: A Systematic Review
  2. BMC Psychiatry, 2025 -- Workplace violence predicts depression and anxiety in nurses: a multi-center longitudinal study in China
  3. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2026 -- Prevalence and Treatment of Anxiety and Depression Among US Healthcare Workers, 2021–2024
  4. Frontiers in Psychiatry — Ethicality forms a challenge in the implementation of structured violence risk screening: a qualitative study of an intervention in two Swedish emergency psychiatric units
  5. National Performance Goal #2a: Preventing Workplace Violence | Joint Commission
  6. Worker Safety in Hospitals - Preventing Workplace Violence in Healthcare | OSHA
  7. AONL, ENA Release Workplace Violence Toolkit | AONL
  8. Continuing Our Efforts to Address Violence | AHA News
  9. Preventing violence against health workers
  10. https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/RULESREGULATIONS/Documents/333-027%20035%20071%20500%20505%20535%20HO%20and%20Comment%20Report_FINAL_Redacted.pdf
  11. Preventing Patient-to-Worker Violence in Hospitals: Outcome of a Randomized Controlled Intervention
  12. Effectiveness of Interventions to Reduce Workplace Violence Against Nurses by Patients and Visitors: A Systematic Review - PubMed
  13. Tools to predict imminent risk of patient perpetrated workplace violence in healthcare settings: an umbrella review | BMC Public Health | Springer Nature Link
  14. Post‐Event Strategies for Workplace Violence Affecting Hospital Staff: A Scoping Review - Sammut - Journal of Advanced Nursing - Wiley Online Library
  15. Physical and psychological consequences for nurses affected by workplace violence: a scoping review | BMC Nursing | Springer Nature Link

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