Assessing frequency and causes of verbal abuse against the clinical staff

Verbal abuse is the most common type of violence that can adversely effect on staff professional practice in clinical environments. The aim of this study was assessing frequency and causes of verbal abuse against the clinical staff in hospitals in Iranshahr city. A cross-sectional analytic descriptive design was used. All of the nurses, midwives, operation room and anesthesiologist technicians, and nurse-aids who employed in hospitals in Iranshahr took part in this study (n=145). A two parts questionnaire about demographic data and verbal abuse (include frequency, causes of violence, perpetrator of violence, reactions to verbal abuse and the source of violence reported) and also, Job Violence Questioner that developed by WHO were used. Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach‘s alpha) was (α=0.86). Data were analyzed by χ2 and SPSS 15. Verbal abuse was experienced by 84.4% of the samples during the last year. The most reported reasons fort verbal abuse were: prevention of Patient visit out of settled time for haunt, delay in providing patient care, insufficient facilities and personnel shortage. Women experienced violence more than men, and the risk of being abused was higher in younger staff with less job experience. Also participants who worked in emergency department, operation room, and women surgery wards were experienced more verbal abuse than the other wards. Patient, patients’ companions and physicians were the more reported perpetrators. 77.2% of verbal abuse cases were reported to managers such as supervisors, head nurses and nurse service administrators. The findings showed high frequency of verbal violence against hospital staff which can cause adverse mental or physical effects on abused staff. As most cases reported to nurse managers, they should prepare proper plans to prevent such events.