The lived experience of violence in accident and emergency.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the lived experience of violence of nurses in one A&E department.


BACKGROUND
Following an extensive literature review, it was elicited that there was very little evidence of the psychological impact of violence in A&E.


BACKGROUND
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.


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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Hislop
Ethel
E
Accident and Emergency Department, Belfast City Hospital, Lisburn Road, UK. Ethel.Hislop@bch.n-i.nhs.uk
Melby
Vidar
V
D016529:Emergency Nursing; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009660:Northern Ireland; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D017751:Safety Management; D012944:Social Support; D014754:Violence