Safe and high-quality care in a healthcare setting is dependent on professional teamwork among health care providers. Also, nursing staff engaged in collaborative efforts show the high propensity of achieving positive patient outcomes. Noteworthy, cooperation enables nursing staff to develop a shared vision, positive attitudes, and respect for colleagues. On the other hand, negative relationships among nursing staff disrupt team efficiency creating an environment with adverse implications, including burnout, high staff turnover, and poor patient outcomes. Therefore, the expression of acts of aggression by a nurse to another qualifies are lateral violence or bullying. Lateral or horizontal violence (HV) causes inefficiencies in care settings by creating negativity and straining resources through incessant demands for conflict resolution. The essay reviews critical components of a research article on lateral violence in nursing. The reviewed article is, Prevalence of horizontal violence among emergency attending physicians, residents, and physician assistants written by Nico Volz, Ryan Fringer, Bradford Walters and Terry Kowalenko in the year 2017.
Essential Parts of the Study Addressed within the Abstract
The abstract of this study has four main parts: introduction, methods, results, and conclusion. The introduction provides an overview of the problem by presenting a brief background. The authors define the problem of lateral violence and name its different forms, including bullying, intended disruptive behavior, and verbal or physical threats. The introduction part of the abstract concludes by stating the purpose of the study. The section on methods describes the process of data collection through electronic surveys. Also, it provides sample characteristics, a summary of the survey, and the frequency of occurrence of lateral violence as observed by the participants.
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The results part presents the outcome of the data collection process by highlighting the number of responses with their demographics. The section also shows the prevalence of the different forms of lateral violence and categorizes them according to departments. In the conclusion section of the abstract, the researchers draw similarities of their data to that from previous studies, showing lateral violence among nursing staff as a common phenomenon. The part provides insights into the effects of lateral violence on practice and patient outcomes. The section includes recommendations for future studies to link the prevalence of lateral violence and impacts on nursing staff and patients.
What is the Problem Statement and Significance to Nursing Practice?
The problem explored in the article states that lateral or horizontal violence practices, such as bullying, verbal or physical threats, emotional abuse, constitute disruptive behaviors with adverse effects on nursing staff and patient outcomes (Volz et al., 2017). The statement suggests that understanding and establishing the prevalence of lateral violence among nursing staff provides insights into the negative impacts on nursing practice and patient outcomes. The significance of nursing of the knowledge acquired is in the development of strategies to nurture positive working relationships, resolve conflicts, and address the root causes of lateral violence. The statement assists in recognizing lateral violence as a real problem and a challenge in all nursing and healthcare contexts. Therefore, the management can benefit from knowledge on the issue to resolve its effects and prevent future incidents. Overall, the significance of the problem to nursing is in identification, elimination, and prevention of lateral violence to improve nursing practice, quality of care, and patient outcomes.
What is the Purpose of the Study?
The researchers state that the purpose of the study is: “to investigate the prevalence of HV among emergency department (ED) attending physicians, residents, and mid-level providers (MLPs)” (p. 213). The school of thought around the purpose of the study is that lateral violence permeates all healthcare settings where nurses practice. Ascertaining the presence and prevalence of the problem is the first step towards the development of reduction and prevention strategies. Accomplishing the purpose of the study sets a precedent for future studies on the subject concerning the different presentations of lateral violence, their impacts on nurses and patients, and ways of overcoming the resulting challenges.
What Type of Research Method was Used?
The research employed a descriptive cross-sectional design as the methodology of choice in executing the purpose of the study. The researchers collected data using a survey questionnaire sent electronically to the participants. The analysis of the results centered on the eighteen questions in the survey, and the scale to which participants rated their perception of the prevalence of lateral violence. The methodological approach allowed for both qualitative and quantitative analysis and presentation of the findings.
Applications to Practice and Incorporation to Own Practice
The practical application of the research paper to nursing practice is evident from the findings. Volz et al. (2017) established that lateral violence is a common phenomenon in nursing settings and practice. The insights would trigger internal inquiries by management authorities to ascertain the prevalence of the problem in their care facilities. It would also initiate productive dialogue among nurses and the administration to come up with frameworks for eliminating the problem. The findings of the article would facilitate inquiries into the impacts of lateral violence on the performance of nurses and overall effects in care delivery reflected in patient outcomes. Application of the study seeks to reform the working environment for nurses by improving interpersonal engagements, primary determinants of quality care and positive patient outcomes. At a personal level, I would incorporate the findings into my practice by striving to build positive working relationships with colleagues. In situations where lateral violence persists without drawing the attention of management, it is crucial to report the problem for a comprehensive audit to ascertain its impacts on performance and care quality at the individual level.
What Future Studies would You Recommend?
The study shows that lateral violence occurs in virtually all nursing settings. Therefore, future studies should focus on establishing factors mediating behaviors responsible for lateral violence to inform remedial strategies. It is inherent to address the impacts of lateral violence on care delivery by examining its effects on individuals and their ability to function effectively. Lastly, future studies must seek to ascertain the efficacy of strategies developed to resolve the problem by consistently monitoring its prevalence.
Reference
Volz, N. B., Fringer, R., Walters, B., & Kowalenko, T. (2017). Prevalence of horizontal violence among emergency attending physicians, residents, and physician assistants. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine , 18 (2), 213-218. doi: 10.5811/westjem.2016.10.31385
