Workplace aggression remains an ongoing and complex feature of clinical practice across the health and care sectors. It is a significant work health and safety concern. While workplace aggression impacts on all health workers, nurses, midwives and medical practitioners are at the highest risk due to their direct care roles. The consequences of exposure can include significant levels of distress, psychological and physical injuries, and rarer fatal outcomes. While there is a significant evidence base, both in Australia and internationally, on the likelihood and consequences of workplace aggression in health and other care settings, there is less robust evidence on what strategies can best be employed to prevent and minimise workplace aggression.
In this project, the candidate will review published evidence and data from a range of sources, including from Latrobe Regional Hospital. The candidate will investigate how to successfully reduce the likelihood and consequences of workplace aggression, in an effort to improve the safety of frontline health care workers. On the basis of this research, the candidate will make recommendations to guide work health and safety and public health policy to better support the safety of the health care workforce in Australia.