ViSHWaS - Violence Study of Healthcare Workers and Systems: A Global Survey-Based Study

Introduction: Violence against Healthcare Workers (HCWs) remains underreported globally, and calls for increased public awareness and education. We aim to report the nature of violence in the healthcare system, its risk factors, impact, and potential mitigation strategies.Methods: We conducted a global cross-sectional study called ViSHWaS - Violence Study of Healthcare Workers and Systems. The survey questionnaire was created using REDCap forms and distributed from June 5 to August 6, 2022. This study was exempted from Institutional Review Board. Findings: A total of 5,405 (79 countries) responses were analyzed, India, USA, and Venezuela were with the most responses. Of these, 53% were females, and the majority (45%) were within 26-35 years. The top four categories of respondents were medical students (21%), followed by consultants (20%), residents/fellows (15%), and nurses (10%). Fifty-five percent of HCWs reported experiencing violence first-hand, and 16% reported violence against their colleagues. Patients or their family members were described as the perpetrator in > 50% of cases, whereas 16% reported facing aggression from their supervisors. A majority (80%) reported that the incidence of violence has either stayed constant or increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fifty-five percent of HCWs who experienced violence felt less motivated or more dissatisfied with their job after the event, and an additional 25% were willing to quit.Interpretations: In a global cross-sectional study, violence against HCWs is reported by the majority of the HCWs. The incidence either increased or stayed the same during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has led to decreased job satisfaction.Funding: NoneDeclaration of Interest: The authors of the survey-based study have no conflict of interest and have received no funding for the study.Ethical Approval: The Study received an exemption from the Mayo Clinic Institutional Review Board.