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Support Our Staff—A Unique Program to Help Deal With Patient Assault
Author(s) -
Lanza Marilyn Lewis,
Schmidt Satu,
McMillan Fred,
Demaio Jennifer,
Forester Linda
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6163.2010.00282.x
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , empowerment , isolation (microbiology) , psychology , nursing , suicide prevention , poison control , medicine , medical emergency , psychiatry , political science , law , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
PURPOSE: The program “Support Our Staff” was developed to provide assaulted staff with the most current information and coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: Participants reported being helped by the program and felt better prepared to cope with future assaults. However, victims felt blamed for the disruption caused by the assault and resented the lack of support from management. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Management needs to take responsibility for their role in violence within the institution, allowing staff to escape the isolation and guilt. Reporting must be encouraged and staff asked to contribute to the development of efficient programs, thus leading to a sense of empowerment.