Violence against healthcare workers is a serious issue around the world, especially in emergency and psychiatric departments. UCRH researchers Associate Professor Chris Williams and Simon Davidson joined with colleagues to co-author a new study published in Trauma, Violence, & Abuse that sheds light on how screening tools can help predict and prevent violent incidents in these high-risk settings.
The systematic review analysed 62 studies that assessed the effectiveness of risk assessment tools used to screen for violence and aggression toward healthcare staff. Ten of these studies were identified as high quality, reporting on eight different tools. Among them, the Dynamic Appraisal of Situational Aggression and the Brøset Violence Checklist stood out for their strong predictive performance and suitability for short-term risk prediction in emergency departments.
The study emphasises that screening tools should be part of a broader strategy to ensure staff safety. Choosing the right tool depends on the target population, how violence is defined, and the purpose of the screening.
This research contributes to a growing body of evidence aimed at improving workplace safety for healthcare professionals. It highlights the importance of using evidence-based tools and approaches to reduce risk and support staff wellbeing.
Chris and Simon’s involvement in this work reflects UCRH’s commitment to advancing research that addresses real-world challenges in healthcare, locally and globally.
