title: Safer at work: development and evaluation of an aggression and violence minimization program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Aggression and violence are recognized as significant occupational risks for health care staff. A new aggression minimization program for all public health service staff at risk in New South Wales, Australia was developed and evaluated. Twenty-two hours of training was divided into specific modules addressing: general aggression and violence minimization competencies (modules 1 and 4, 10 h); the specific needs of staff working in high-risk environments (module 2, 8 h); and a module for workplace managers and supervisors (module 3, 4 h).
  
  
  METHODS
  Two pilot samples were evaluated: (i) 15 experienced aggression trainers from across New South Wales completed and evaluated a two-day 'train the trainer' program; (ii) 48 experienced health staff completed the four training modules and assessed satisfaction, knowledge and skills acquired, attitudes toward managing aggression and confidence in dealing with aggressive incidents.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Program materials were judged to be highly suitable. Staff were satisfied and increased their knowledge and skills, and evidenced improved attitudes toward working with aggressive patients. A significant increase in staff confidence for dealing with aggressive incidents was also found, with the more modules staff completed the greater their confidence in dealing with aggressive incidents.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The program may contribute to helping health service industry staff attain a safer workplace.
authors.affiliation: Illawarra Institute for Mental Health, University of Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. grenyer@uow.edu.au
authors.forename: Brin F S
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Grenyer
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ilkiw-Lavalle
authors.forename: Philip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Biro
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Middleby-Clements
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Comninos
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coleman
mesh_terms: D000374:Aggression / Q000523:psychology*; D001290:Attitude; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016272:Occupational Health; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016730:Program Development; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014754:Violence / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017132:Workplace