Violence in the workplace: some critical issues looking at the health sector

BACKGROUND: The literature on occupational violence and even more the literature on violence against nurses in health settings have evidenced inconsistencies regarding how workplace violence has been conceptualized. PURPOSE: To review and discuss some inconsistencies regarding how workplace violence against nurses in health settings has been conceptualized paying special attention to the challenges posed to the health of nurses stemming from patients, visitors or co-workers. METHOD: Review of data of the European Working Conditions Surveys, and National Surveys on Working Conditions in Spain. DISCUSSION: It is necessary to overcome these conceptual inconsistencies on violence in order to carry out intervention programmes based on solid theoretical grounds. CONCLUSIONS: Violence against nurses takes place within an organisational climate defined by role relationships. The organizational climate can either reduce the likelihood of violence or, on the contrary, instigate violent behaviors.