Violations and Abusive Events as Experienced by Staff Within Adult Psychiatric Care: A National Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Background:Previous research has emphasized the high prevalence and far-reaching consequences of violations of ethical principles in patient care.Aim:To study the extent of violations perceived by healthcare professionals in Swedish adult psychiatric care.Methods:Online survey among 2,538 mental health professionals. A revised version of Transgressions of Ethical Principles in Health Care Questionnaire was used.Results:Events that could be perceived as abusive occur to a large extent. Respondents reported 96% observation and 84% self-involvement in at least one abusive event during the past 12 months and were considered unethical by 43% upon observation and by 34% upon self-involvement. Respondents who work in inpatient care report both more observations and more of their own involvement in abusive events compared to outpatient care.Conclusions:The findings indicate the importance of actively working with and preventing violations and abusive events, and could motivate healthcare professionals to talk about alternative ways of acting in certain situations.