Workplace Violence Prevention

Anger Management, A Workplace Violence Prevention Strategy

Workplace aggression and violence in medical settings is one of the fastest growing societal concerns in the USA. Doctors and patients are angrier than ever at their managed care health plans. In their mutual frustration, however, they may be turning their anger on each other instead of the health plans that are largely the cause of their problems. The literature review indicates that violence is a substantial contributor to occupational injuries and death. Many of the prevention strategies are simplistic and avoid the real issues. They include security devices, metal detectors, improved lighting and added guards.
Health care organizations are especially vulnerable to aggressive disruptive behavior because they typically have not invested in communication and leadership skills for physicians and nurses. Hospital medical peer review panels find it painfully difficult to reprimand a colleague who may be behaving badly. Moreover, many organizations fail to deal with difficult physicians until they've crossed the line to "disruptive." It is unfortunate, but rare for a physician to recognize the need for help and voluntarily seek anger management/executive coach assistance

Anger management/executive coaching offers a far more promising organizational response to workplace violence prevention. For line staff, anger management classes can be provided by certified anger management providers in small groups of up to ten participants who have demonstrated a lack of emotional control and an inability to understand the reasons and consequences for anger related behaviors. For physicians, executives and persons who manage others, executive coaching on an individual basis for an average of ten sessions can be provided. Anger management classes are not just limited to anger management; rather classes should include useful information in managing anger, stress, communication and emotional intelligence. There is obvious value in creating a workforce with skills in recognizing stress, anger, assertive communication and increasing emotional intelligence. Such proactive strategies reduce stress, increase productivity, and enhance creativity.

Pre and Post tests should be performed to determine the success of the classes for each individual. Evidenced based intervention is becoming the norm for most industries. Increasingly, anger management is seen as an investment rather than a cost. Improving morale and reducing tension and conflict impacts the bottom line.

George Anderson, MSW, BCD