Violence in Health Care

A source of key information for anyone working in health care, this text discusses such topics as: the effects of assault on health-care professionals; alcohol, other drugs and violence; management of violent patients; the care of victims; and compensation for personal injuries.

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All health care workers are vulnerable to assault as they fulfil their day to day responsibilities. They need to understand why violence occurs, who is most at risk, how to prevent it and what it feels like to be a victim. Managers need to initiate and implement prevention policy and to be able to arrange appropriate counselling and support for victims. Jonathon Shepherd has had experience of working with abused health care workers, and with his leading panel of contributors, he advises on how to reduce the risks of violence and what measures to take to prevent it. This book serves as a key source of information for all those who wish to try to better understand the causes and effects of violence and includes chapters on domestic violence, the role of alcohol and drugs, delinquency and non accidental injuries of children. With details of over 40 victim support agencies, this will be an invaluable handbook for all health care workers and their managers. This book is intended for health professionals including hospital and community doctors, social workers, paramedics, and the ambulance team.