Violence in Healthcare Institutions: A Sociological Approach to The Explanatory Factors and Forms of Practice

Abstract

This article aims to study the phenomenon of violence in healthcare institutions from a sociological perspective, considering it a complex social phenomenon reflecting imbalances in organizational structure and professional relationships within the hospital setting. Violence here is not simply a matter of individual behavior, but rather a result of the interaction of a range of structural, social, and psychological factors that contribute to its production and perpetuation within healthcare institutions.
The study reveals that violence is fueled by organizational factors such as work pressure, limited resources, ambiguous roles, and poor task distribution, in addition to social and psychological factors related to occupational stress, poor communication, and a lack of trust between staff and patients. Conversely, the violence is also attributed to the free provision of healthcare. Violence manifests itself in various forms, most notably verbal violence (insults, shouting), physical violence (assault or threats), and symbolic or administrative violence (exclusion, marginalization, or mistreatment within the institution).