Violence against healthcare professionals in the emergency department in Nigeria: a narrative review of Pattern and Aetiology

Abstract

Background: Workplace violence is commonly experienced by healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals of different categories and cadres can be victims of violence in the workplace although some medical specialties are more predisposed to violence. The objective of this review is to investigate workplace violence in the emergency units of Nigerian hospitals.

Method: This is a review article on violence against healthcare professionals in the emergency department in Nigeria. A literature search was done using Google Scholar, PubMed, Ajol and Medline.

Result: Several studies have been conducted on violence against healthcare professionals. Violence against healthcare professionals in the emergency department in Nigeria is common and there are several factors responsible for it. Overcrowding in the emergency department can lead to long waiting times which makes patients impatient and agitated, angry and may want to assault the healthcare professionals.

Conclusion: In the emergency departments in Nigeria, healthcare professionals are susceptible to violence from patients and caregivers. This comes in the form of verbal abuse, psychological abuse, and physical assault.