PERCEÇÕES DOS PONTOS FOCAIS SOBRE VIOLÊNCIA CONTRA PROFISSIONAIS DE SAÚDE NA REGIÃO ALENTEJO: ESTUDO QUALITATIVO

Abstract

Violence against health professionals has increased in recent years and is a source of concern in the health system and a public health problem, widely described in the literature. Workplace violence is defined as aggression when professionals are abused, intimidated or assaulted in the workplace, including when traveling to and from work, involving an explicit or implicit challenge to their safety, well-being or health. To understand the perceptions and procedures of regional, institutional and local focal points regarding violence against health professionals in Alentejo, in the southern region of Portugal. An observational and exploratory study with a qualitative approach. The study population is the focal point of the Local Health Units in Alentejo. Semi-structured interviews were conducted based on a pre-defined script. The interviews were processed using IRAMUTEQ software, followed by a content analysis.  The analysis reveals four main classes in the corpus: regional operative articulation (class 1), interactions and challenges in the health environment (class 2), types of violence (class 3) and prevention strategies (class 4). Classes 3 and 4 show depth, implying the need for integrated preventive strategies, while classes 1 and 2, which are more distant, show fragmentation between management and practical operation, which compromises the effectiveness and quality of care. The study analyzes management and challenges of violence against health professionals, highlighting the importance of preventing violence and improving communication between levels of governance. It proposes an integrated approach to promote safety and efficiency, offering a basis for future policies that prioritize operational articulation and the well-being of professionals and users.