There is a major disconnect between the number of incidents and reported cases when it comes to violence at home.
This is one of the key points from recent research published in Home Healthcare Now. Researchers found that 57% of home health workers experience physical violence while working at current institutions, and that cultural changes are needed to increase reporting.
As part of the study, researchers at the University of Cincinnati used cross-sectional surveys. Home health workers employed in seven home healthcare agencies based in Ohio and Oregon completed a survey on organizational policies, workplace violence procedures and experiences in these cases.
Participating institutions included two small institutions consisting of 25-100 employees and five medium institutions with 100-500 employees.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) describes workplace violence as “a act or threat of physical violence, harassment, threats, or other threatening, destructive behavior that occurs in the workplace.” Overall, this means anything from verbal threats and abuse to physical or sexual assault.
This study found that 37% of home health workers experience either verbal or emotional violence on a daily basis. Additionally, 20% of workers experienced a monthly outbreak of physical violence.
Approximately 57% of workers report that they have experienced physical violence at least once as employees of current institutions.
All workers surveyed said they experienced exposure to workplace violence, as described by the study authors as one of the most “surprising” findings. However, investigations show that these cases of workplace violence have not been reported to agency management.
Workplace violence occurs in other healthcare settings, but working at home poses clear challenges.
“Home care is a healthcare speciality that presents unique occupational risks, including the possibility of (workplace violence) within a patient's home or community,” the author wrote in his study. “Individuals working in home health care often do so independently and may not provide the same resources to those in traditional hospital or clinic settings.”
The agency has workplace violence policies, with 100% of the workers surveyed saying they were familiar with reporting procedures, which has not led to an increase in reporting.
In fact, 40% of workers say that management does not encourage reporting, while 33% feel uncomfort to go to management due to concerns about workplace violence.
“A possible explanation is that management has established policies and reporting guidelines to meet company requirements without the support of (home health workers),” the author writes. “There may also be concerns about administrative reports and victim criticism (workplace violence) when reporting. Organizations need a cultural change to encourage (workplace violence) (workplace violence).”
Other studies also found that workplace violence is common in the home care industry. Last year, a Transcend Strategy Group survey found that over 50% of caregivers had experienced or witnessed at least one incident of workplace violence or harassment at some point.
In recent years, OSHA has caught a more careful eye on home care spaces.
“For years, home care has flew under the radar,” Elizabeth E. Hoag, a civil justice attorney, previously told Home Health Care News. “No one paid much attention to the provider, but now home-based care is a kind of care. At the very least, we pay lip service for the idea that it's important. We need it more and need more money.
