Workplace violence against healthcare workers: a scoping review of reporting practices, barriers to reporting and institutional responses (2020-2025)
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Violence against healthcare workers (HCWs) is a widespread global problem that has gained increasing attention due to its substantial impact on HCWs well-being and the quality of care they provide. This scoping review aimed to identify current reporting practices, institutional and organisational barriers to reporting violent incidents against HCWs, and critical research gaps in this area, integrating global evidence with a specific focus on Portugal. METHODS: Following the methodological framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005), refined by Levac et al. (2010), and reported per PRISMA-ScR (2018) guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science (January 2020–June 2025). Studies in English, Portuguese, or Spanish addressing reporting practices, barriers to reporting, digital platforms, or policies regarding WPV against HCWs were included. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data using a structured matrix, resolving discrepancies by consensus. Results were summarized narratively with frequency analysis. RESULTS: From the initial 232 records, 35 studies met inclusion criteria, from 19 geographic areas across 5 continents. Most studies originated from Asia and Europe. Verbal violence was the most frequently reported form (20–91%), and over half reported underreporting rates exceeding 50%. The most frequently reported individual barrier was the belief that reporting is ineffective (60%), while the most cited systemic…
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