The study, published in International Nursing Review (2025), examines the impact of violence perpetrated by patients and visitors against healthcare professionals in Türkiye. It was conducted by researchers from Izmir Tinaztepe University, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, and Izmir University of Economics.
A total of 387 physicians and nurses participated, with the aim of assessing how workplace violence influences burnout and whether fear of future violence acts as a mediating factor. In this context, violence can manifest verbally (shouting, threats, insults), physically (pushing, hitting, even more severe incidents), or psychologically (intimidation, pressure).
Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), the researchers analyzed the effects of violence on emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment.
Key findings of the study include:
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Violence increases burnout: Exposure to violence significantly heightens emotional exhaustion and depersonalization.
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Unexpected resilience: In some cases, exposure reduces diminished personal accomplishment, suggesting identity reinforcement or coping mechanisms.
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Fear of future violence: While not strongly linked to exhaustion or depersonalization, it lowers feelings of accomplishment.
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Profession-specific differences: Nurses report far higher levels of direct violence, exhaustion, and depersonalization, while physicians show greater fear of future violence but stronger accomplishment.
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Policy–practice gap: Despite existing legislation in Türkiye, healthcare staff feel insufficiently supported.
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Cultural factors: Normalization of violence, patriarchal norms, and stigma affect both experiences and reporting.
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Solutions: Organizational support, violence-prevention training, and simulation-based programs reduce fear and burnout, while structural reforms (e.g., shorter waiting times) help alleviate patient frustration.
A Call for Change:
Workplace violence is a serious occupational hazard for healthcare workers. It leads to emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced accomplishment, with varying intensity across professions. Addressing it requires not only laws but also meaningful organizational, cultural, and systemic interventions to protect professionals and improve patient care.
Read more on the research here