Occupational Violence among Frontline Healthcare Workers: A Thematic Analysis

Genesis Melchor G. Gamurot; Alyssa Ashley R. Diego

Genesis Melchor G. Gamurot Department of Health Central Luzon Center for Health Development City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines
Alyssa Ashley R. Diego Faculty of the Institute of Graduate and Advanced Studies Urdaneta City University Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, Philippines

Keywords: occupational violence, COVID-19, health care worker, infectious diseases, emerging, re-emerging

Abstract

Since discovering SARS-CoV-2 (previously known as nCoV-19), an emerging infectious disease caused by a new virus under the family Coronaviridae, the number of reported occupational-related violence among frontline healthcare workers has been increasing. This study used a qualitative design that employed a random selection of fifteen (15) respondents from the five (5) DOH Hospitals in Central Luzon (Region 3). The data were analyzed to determine the codes/labels and the themes of the study. Analyses of the interviews identified four (4) significant themes, namely: (1) Awareness of Maltreatment, (2) Optimistic Perspective, (3) Spiritual Positivism, and (4) Proactive Health & Information Drive. These findings suggested that government officials, hospital administrators, and community leaders should provide a concrete policy guideline on the safety of health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and impose necessary sanctions on those who pose a risk to their safety under the governing laws. In addition, the findings of the study also provide the need to address pressing issues on lack of support from different institutions especially in cases of communicable diseases such as COVID-19. It also suggests additional investment in health, science & technology, advancement in laboratory assays and medicine, and additional human resources accommodate increasing cases of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.