For a few months, in the first phase of the pandemic, they were considered heroes. Immediately after, scapegoat for the problems – real and presumed – of health care. One in three nurses (32.3%), about 130 thousand, in the last year, has suffered some form of violence during work shifts. Research reports this CEASE-it(Violence against nurses in the work place), concluded in April 2021 and carried out by eight Italian universities (leading the one in Genoa) on the initiative of the National Federation of Orders of Nursing Professions (Fnopi). In 75% of cases, the victims were female nurses.
In most cases, these episodes aren’t even reported, because perceived by the nurses themselves as “dynamics inherent to the profession”. Consequently, the phenomenon of the “undeclared” is growing more and more: every year Inail records 11 thousand cases of violence reported as accidents at work: 5 thousand concern nurses, the category most subject to it (46% of nurses have suffered violence during the exercise of the profession, doctors amounted to 6%). However, it is necessary to add to the official data the undeclared of 125 thousand victims who did not report.
But 10.8% of those who have suffered violence suffer permanent damage on a physical or psychological level. “To restore dignity to professional activity and to ensure the safety of nurses during working hours”, explained Barbara Mangiacavalli, president of the National Federation of Nurses’ Associations “. It is very urgent to include this profession among the wearing categories, while now only the classification as “heavy” work is recognized.
The study showed that nurses know the traits and characteristics of a potential verbal or physical aggression behavior. “However, for various reasons they are unable to intercept and prevent these episodes,” explained Professor Annamaria Bagnasco, from the University of Genoa, coordinator of the research. «One of the contributing causes demonstrated by the study is inadequate communication between the staff and the assisted and / or accompanying person; however, communication processes are largely influenced by the work environment, staffing and the well-being of professionals “.
But who is the “typical” attacker? According to the research, men account for 52% (so there isn’t a big difference compared to women). About 25% are between 46 and 55 years old, 21% between 36 and 45.
Source: Vanity Fair
