57% of Home Healthcare Workers Experience Physical Violence, Study Finds – Campus Safety Magazine

Report on Workplace Violence Among Home Healthcare Workers and Its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction

A recent study published in Home Healthcare Now reveals significant concerns regarding workplace violence experienced by home healthcare workers. This report emphasizes the study’s findings with a focus on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

Study Overview

1. Researchers from the University of Cincinnati surveyed home health workers employed by seven agencies in Ohio and Oregon.
2. The agencies included two small (25–100 employees) and five mid-size (100–500 employees) organizations.
3. The survey assessed workers’ knowledge of workplace violence policies, procedures, and personal experiences with violence.

Key Findings

• 56.6% of respondents reported experiencing physical violence while working at their current agency.
• 37% experienced verbal or emotional abuse daily.
• 20% reported monthly occurrences of physical violence.
• Patients were identified as the primary perpetrators of violence.
• Despite exposure, no participants reported incidents to management, indicating systemic barriers to reporting.

Challenges in Reporting and Management Response

• All surveyed workers were knowledgeable about reporting procedures.
• However, 40% stated that management did not encourage reporting.
• 33% felt uncomfortable approaching management with workplace violence concerns.
• Potential reasons include lack of worker buy-in, fear of retaliation, and victim blaming.
• The study calls for a cultural shift within organizations to promote reporting and support for affected workers.

Unique Risks in Home Healthcare Settings

Home healthcare workers face distinct occupational hazards compared to traditional healthcare settings:

• Working independently in patients’ homes or communities.
• Limited access to resources and immediate support.
• Increased vulnerability to workplace violence.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Ensuring safe working environments for healthcare workers contributes to overall health and well-being.
   • Reducing workplace violence can improve mental health outcomes for workers.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Promoting safe and secure working environments aligns with the goal of decent work for all.
   • Addressing workplace violence supports sustainable economic growth by reducing injury-related absences and turnover.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • Strengthening institutional policies and management responses fosters peaceful and inclusive workplaces.
   • Encouraging transparent reporting mechanisms enhances justice and accountability.

Recommendations

• Develop and implement stronger workplace protections and violence prevention strategies.
• Enhance management training to encourage reporting and support victims.
• Conduct further research to identify and overcome barriers to reporting workplace violence.
• Promote organizational culture changes to ensure safety and well-being of home healthcare workers.

Conclusion

The study highlights a critical need to address workplace violence in home healthcare settings to protect workers and advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals. Implementing effective policies and fostering supportive environments are essential steps toward achieving safer, healthier, and more equitable workplaces.

Additional Resources

• Workplace Violence Procedures and Prevention
• 10 Ways to Diffuse Abusive Patient Behavior
• Recent Legislative Actions on Hospital Workplace Violence
• United States Bureau of Labor Statistics: Healthcare Worker Injury Data

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article discusses workplace violence affecting home healthcare workers, which directly impacts their physical and mental health and well-being.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The focus on workplace violence, reporting barriers, and the need for safer work environments relates to promoting safe and secure working environments for all workers.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article highlights systemic barriers to reporting workplace violence and the need for improved management response and organizational culture change, which ties into promoting inclusive societies and effective, accountable institutions.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including access to quality essential health-care services and safe working conditions for health workers.
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction, and management of health risks, which can include workplace violence prevention.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.8: Protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including vulnerable groups such as home healthcare workers.
3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels, which includes fostering organizational cultures that encourage reporting and addressing workplace violence.
   • Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development, relevant to policies protecting workers from violence and retaliation.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. Prevalence of Workplace Violence Incidents
   • The article provides data on the percentage of home healthcare workers experiencing physical violence (56.6%), verbal or emotional abuse (37%), and monthly occurrences (20%). These can serve as indicators to measure the prevalence and frequency of workplace violence.
2. Reporting Rates of Workplace Violence Incidents
   • The article notes that despite high exposure, no participants reported incidents to management, indicating an indicator related to the rate of incident reporting and barriers to reporting.
3. Management and Organizational Response
   • Indicators related to management encouragement of reporting (40% said management did not encourage reporting) and worker comfort in reporting (33% uncomfortable) can be used to assess institutional effectiveness and culture.
4. Occupational Injury and Illness Rates
   • Reference to healthcare workers accounting for 73% of all non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses suggests use of occupational injury rates as an indicator.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: campussafetymagazine.com