TY - JOUR
T1 - The Lived Experience of Violence in Accident and Emergency
AU - Hislop, Ethel
AU - Melby, Vidar
PY - 2003/1/1
Y1 - 2003/1/1
N2 - AIM: To investigate the lived experience of violence of nurses in one A&E department. RATIONALE: Following an extensive literature review, it was elicited that there was very little evidence of the psychological impact of violence in A&E. BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION: Violence in the health service has increased over the last decade associated with a corresponding increase in the published literature on this topic. While violence in A&E departments would appear common, little evidence exists on the psychosocial impact of these incidents on A&E nurses. RESEARCH METHODS: A qualitative domain using a phenomenological philosophy was utilised. Sampling was of a volunteer nature and data were collected using interview. Nurses were sampled from one major acute hospital in Northern Ireland. RESULTS: Participants expressed feelings of frustration, anger, and fear. Support from colleagues was greatly valued and lack of feedback from management was cited as being common. DISCUSSION: Frustration and anger were synthesised into the "why me" principle with nurses not knowing why they were the focus for attack. Violent incidents were associated with a sense of isolation but colleague support developed a sense of belonging. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst a useful insight was provided, more research is essential into this emotive topic.
AB - AIM: To investigate the lived experience of violence of nurses in one A&E department. RATIONALE: Following an extensive literature review, it was elicited that there was very little evidence of the psychological impact of violence in A&E. BACKGROUND/INTRODUCTION: Violence in the health service has increased over the last decade associated with a corresponding increase in the published literature on this topic. While violence in A&E departments would appear common, little evidence exists on the psychosocial impact of these incidents on A&E nurses. RESEARCH METHODS: A qualitative domain using a phenomenological philosophy was utilised. Sampling was of a volunteer nature and data were collected using interview. Nurses were sampled from one major acute hospital in Northern Ireland. RESULTS: Participants expressed feelings of frustration, anger, and fear. Support from colleagues was greatly valued and lack of feedback from management was cited as being common. DISCUSSION: Frustration and anger were synthesised into the "why me" principle with nurses not knowing why they were the focus for attack. Violent incidents were associated with a sense of isolation but colleague support developed a sense of belonging. CONCLUSIONS: Whilst a useful insight was provided, more research is essential into this emotive topic.
U2 - 10.1016/S0965-2302(02)00124-8
DO - 10.1016/S0965-2302(02)00124-8
M3 - Article
VL - 11
SP - 5
EP - 11
JO - Accident and Emergency Nursing
JF - Accident and Emergency Nursing
SN - 0965-2302
IS - 1
ER -