A recent study conducted by the University of Coimbra has found that over 30% of healthcare professionals in Portugal consider psychological violence to be frequent or widespread in their workplaces. The study, which was part of the BRAVE-WOW project, aimed to investigate respectful, free, and inclusive work environments in terms of gender. The study collected data from 1,678 participants and revealed that 32.8% of healthcare professionals identified psychological violence as a frequent or generalized issue at their workplace.
The study also found that 30.1% of participants reported systematic devaluation of their work as frequent or generalized. Other forms of violence and harassment, such as moral harassment (bullying) and verbal violence, were reported by 24% and 23.2% of participants, respectively. In contrast, sexual harassment and physical violence were reported by only 2.1% and 1.7% of participants, respectively. These findings suggest that psychological violence is a significant concern in the healthcare sector in Portugal.
According to Leonor Pais, the coordinator of the BRAVE-WOW project, the frequency of reported psychological violence suggests that current response mechanisms may be insufficient to address the issue. Pais noted that 45.5% of participants agreed that inadequate behavior tends to be minimized or excused, while 17.9% viewed episodes of violence or harassment as a normal part of their work. These attitudes may contribute to a culture of tolerance for violence and harassment in the healthcare sector.
The study also found that participants had limited confidence in their organizations' responses to violence and harassment. Only 16.1% of participants believed that their organization responded effectively to such situations, while 19% thought that incidents were handled fairly. Furthermore, 34.4% of participants feared negative consequences if they reported incidents of violence or harassment. These findings highlight the need for improved response mechanisms and a culture of zero tolerance for violence and harassment.
The study identified supervisors as the most common perpetrators of violence or harassment, followed by colleagues, patients, and patients' family members or companions. However, Pais emphasized that these findings should not be generalized to all managers or healthcare services. Instead, they highlight the importance of establishing adequate reporting channels, particularly in situations involving hierarchical relationships.
The study also found that work overload and overcrowding were common contexts associated with violence or harassment. According to Pais, violence perpetrated by patients and their families also requires attention, as 61.1% of participants reported such incidents. The study's findings emphasize the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing violence and harassment in the healthcare sector.
The BRAVE-WOW project brings together 19 organizations from four countries, including Portugal, Italy, Spain, and Slovenia. The project aims to develop a European-scale questionnaire to collect comparable data on violence and harassment in the healthcare sector across the 27 EU member states. The study's findings will contribute to the development of effective strategies to prevent and address violence and harassment in the healthcare sector.
Key points
- Over 30% of Portuguese healthcare professionals experience frequent or widespread psychological violence at work.
- Participants had limited confidence in their organizations' responses to violence and harassment.
- Work overload and overcrowding were common contexts associated with violence or harassment.
