Perspective of the Operational, Regional and Institutional Groups: A project against violence in the health sector in the Alentejo Region

Background: Violence in the health sector is a warming phenomenon that affects not only professionals, but also the quality of care provided to users. This research project aims to collect the perspectives of the Operational, Regional and Institutional Groups on the relevant measures to combat violence in the health sector in the Alentejo region. Methods: This was a qualitative study in which five semi-structured interviews were carried out with focal points from the Regional Operational Group and the Institutional Operational Group of the Alentejo region, selected for convenience, from different health units. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and analyzed according to the analysis protocol of the IRaMuTeQ software (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) version 0.7 alpha 2. Results: The interviews highlighted the importance of the action plan for preventing violence in the health sector, stressing the need for its full implementation. They include relevant actions, such as regular meetings, awareness-raising actions, and improvements to the notification system. Continuous training is seen as crucial to prepare professionals, and the physical and organizational structure of institutions was identified as an area for improvement. The under-reporting of cases of violence and the need for a multidisciplinary approach were recurring themes. Conclusions: The working groups recognize the importance of investing in prevention, training, and awareness-raising actions, and emphasize the need to monitor and evaluate the measures implemented. In conclusion, combating violence in the health sector in the Alentejo region requires a continuous, multidisciplinary effort to ensure a safe working environment for health professionals, with a focus on prevention, training and raising awareness among professionals, managers, and the community.