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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06921083

Violence in ICU: Outcomes, Lessons, and Experiences of ICU Team (The VIOLENT-Study)

This study aims to investigate the perceptions, experiences, and responses of healthcare professionals working in intensive care units in Switzerland concerning patient violence.

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Key information

Conditions

Workplace Stress Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Occupational Diseases Occupational Stress Stress, Psychological

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

University Hospital Basel, Intensive Care Unit

Basel, Canton of Basel-City, 4031, Switzerland

About this study

Workplace violence, as defined by the International Labor Organization, includes any action, incident, or behavior that assaults, threatens, harms, or injures a person during their work. Healthcare workers face the highest risk of workplace violence among all professions. Violence can take many forms, including verbal abuse, physical offenses to sexual harassment. While most research focuses on psychiatric and emergency departments, workplace violence in intensive care units (ICUs) is understudied and often underreported. As a result, little is known about its prevalence and risk factors, leading to a lack of awareness and effective prevention strategies.

This study examines the perceptions, experiences, and responses of healthcare professionals in Swiss ICUs. A questionnaire-based survey will assess various aspects, including personal background (such as education and professional role), the frequency and nature of past incidents of workplace violence, responses and measures taken, psychological or professional consequences, current prevention strategies, and suggestions for improving workplace safety.

Since workplace violence is a common issue, the results of this study could help improve the work environment and safety in ICUs and other healthcare settings.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Consenting nurses and physicians currently working in Swiss intensive care units
  • Nurses and physicians consenting to participate will be included

Exclusion criteria

  • Nurses and physicians who do not consent

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. Demographic information (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Participants provide demographic details, including gender and age, using a questionnaire.

  2. Completion date (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    The date of questionnaire completion is recorded.

  3. Professional background (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Assessment of professional role of the intensive care unit (ICU) staff, including their education and work experience, using a questionnaire.

  4. Frequency of violent incident (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Participants report the frequency of violent incidents encountered from patients or their relatives in the ICU setting, using a questionnaire.

  5. Type of violent incident (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Participants report the type of violent incidents (verbal, physical, and sexual) encountered from patients or their relatives in the ICU setting, using a questionnaire.

  6. Characteristics of violent incident (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Participants provide detailed information about specific violent incidents they have experienced in the ICU, including the context and perceived triggers, using a questionnaire.

  7. Reporting of violent incident (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Participants report whether the violent incident has been reported, using a questionnaire.

  8. Personal impact of workplace violence (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Participants describe the personal impact of workplace violence, including psychological and mental health consequences, using a questionnaire.

  9. Professional impact of workplace violence (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Participants report how workplace violence influences professional factors such as job satisfaction and workload, using a questionnaire.

  10. Actions taken during or after violent incident (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Participants report the responses and measures taken during or after the violent incident, using a questionnaire.

  11. Strategies for enhancing workplace safety in the ICU (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Participants provide information on strategies for enhancing workplace safety in the ICU, such as existing institutional policies, prior training in handling workplace violence, and their opinions on workplace violence prevention and recommendations for enhancing ICU safety, using a questionnaire.

  12. Open-ended feedback from participant (ICU Staff Questionnaire)

    Time frame: 2025

    Participants have the opportunity to share additional comments or remarks related to workplace violence and safety in the ICU, using a questionnaire. This information is collected through a freetext field in the questionnaire.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Investigating Management and Perceptions of Aggression, Conflict, and Threat in ICU Environments

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Apr 10, 2025
Registry last updated
Jun 17, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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