People typically do not, and should not, expect to be assaulted while on the job, but many in the healthcare field are routinely verbally and physically assaulted. Workplace violence (WPV) is defined by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as "violent acts (including physical assaults and threats of assault) directed toward persons at work or on duty.”
Researchers have exhaustively studied elements that should improve the effectiveness of OSHA's healthcare WPV programs. However, there is little research reviewing if the perspectives of employees and senior leadership align with those elements.