Workplace Violence in Healthcare Professionals: Identifying Types and Risk Factors through Qualitative Analysis

Objective: This article aims to explore the types and contributory factors leading to violence against healthcare professionals in their workplace. Methodology: This was a qualitative exploratory study, conducted after ethical approval. Data included semi-structured individual interviews of nine healthcare professionals (doctors). The interviews continued until data saturation. All interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed, with codes assigned to maintain anonymity. Data was organized using Atlas-ti software and analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: According to our study, workplace violence mostly occurred in emergency and psychiatric wards due to long waiting times, miscommunication, and lack of moral values among patients and their attendants. Negative factors such as insufficient personnel and equipment, communication breakdowns, reluctance to report, and improper management increased the risk of violent behavior in healthcare settings. Conclusion: The findings from this study shed light on the critical issue of workplace violence against healthcare professionals at the Rural Healthcare Centre, Khurianwala. By addressing the root causes and implementing comprehensive preventive strategies, it is possible to create a safer and more respectful working environment for healthcare workers. This, in turn, will not only improve the well-being of medical staff but also enhance the quality of care provided to patients.