Workplace violence against healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Introduction: Workplace violence (WV) against healthcare workers (HCWs) is a widespread phenomenon, which contributes to increasing occupational stress. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the world's population to intense stress. It is therefore questionable whether there is a correlation between the two phenomena, violence and COVID-19. This systematic review aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of WV against HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A systematic review was conducted across PubMed Central/Medline, Cochrane Library, PROSPERO and Epistemonikos databases using predefined search criteria. Only studies containing quantitative and mixed-method research from the inception of the pandemic to 22 February 2022 and published in English language were included. Results: Overall, 61 articles were retrieved, and a total of 15 studies met the full inclusion criteria and were included. Most of the studies reported both physical and psychological (verbal and non-verbal) WV, which was perpetrated by personal (family members, friends, neighbors) and/or professional relationships (bosses, co-workers, patients’ relatives, strangers). The overall prevalence of WV ranged from 18.5% to 84.5%. In many cases, victims of WV during the COVID-19 pandemic included frontline HCWs and staff working in emergency departments. Discussion: Our findings showed a high prevalence of WV against HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Males, young people, those with less working experience, and those working in direct contact with patients infected by the virus were the most relevant risk factors for WV, that was mostly perpetrated by caregivers and COVID-19 patients’ family members. Occupational health services, hospital management and policymakers should cooperate to address these psychosocial risk factors to protect the mental health of HCWs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Take-home message: This systematic review showed a high prevalence of workplace violence against healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Occupational health and public health stakeholders should implement interventions for the prevention and management of workplace against healthcare workers during a pandemic.