Workplace Well-being: Guide for Healthcare Professionals on Workplace Violence and De-escalation

Workplace violence remains a pressing concern in healthcare, with recent data revealing a troubling rise in incidents that jeopardize the safety and well-being of both staff and patients. This module is designed to empower healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize, prevent, and manage violence in clinical settings.

Through practical guidance and evidence-based strategies, participants will learn how to define workplace violence, identify risk factors, and apply effective de-escalation techniques. By completing this module, healthcare professionals will be better prepared to foster a safer, more respectful, and supportive work environment for themselves, their colleagues, and the patients they serve.

Target Audience

This activity is intended for physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists, certified public health professionals, and social workers.

Learning Objectives

When you complete this module, you will be able to:

Define workplace violence according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and identify the types of workplace violence.
Explain the importance of de-escalation techniques in healthcare settings, including how these techniques contribute to safety, conflict resolution, and mental health.
Identify the use of verbal and non-verbal de-escalation techniques to effectively reduce tension and prevent the escalation of violence.
Analyze the factors that precipitate workplace violence in healthcare environments, and assess how different de-escalation strategies can address these triggers.
Evaluate the effectiveness of a de-escalation training program by reviewing incident reports and staff feedback to identify areas for improvement in reducing workplace violence incidents.

Course summary

Available credit:

1.00 AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME
The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.00 AAPA Category 1 Self-Assessment CME credits. Approval is valid until May 14, 2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
1.00 ANCC
1.00 AOA Category 1-B
1.00 ASWB Credit
1.00 Certified Public Health (CPH)
1.00 HSC Participation
1.00 Physical Therapist (PT)
This activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider APS #: and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas.

Course opens:

05/15/2025

Course expires:

05/14/2027

Cost:

$0.00

Rating:

Disclosures
In accordance with the appropriate accrediting bodies, all planners, teachers, and authors with control over activity content are required to disclose to the provider any relevant financial relationships (those held by the person, currently or within the last 24 months) with ineligible interests. Accredited providers are required to provide this information to learners before the start of an activity. The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth Division of Academic Innovation's office planning team nor the subject matter experts have anything to disclose.

Primary Authors

American Osteopathic Association

Karen M. Silverstri, MSN, RN
Director, Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Organization

University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Jennifer Barrow, RN, MSN, CPPS
Patient Safety and Quality Executive, SaferCare Texas

Leslie Reyna, MSW, CHW
Assistant Director of Strategy and Outreach, SaferCare Texas

Planning Committee and Peer Reviewers

American Osteopathic Association

Jennifer Hauler, DO, MBA
Chief Operating Officer, Houston Methodist Hospital

Karen M. Silverstri, MSN, RN
Director, Quality Improvement & Patient Safety Organization

Darcy Steinberg- Hastings, MPH
AOA Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Health Initiatives

University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Jennifer Barrow, RN, MSN, CPPS
Patient Safety and Quality Executive, SaferCare Texas

Justin Burton, MBA, BSN, RN, CPPS, CPHQ, NE-BC^®, LLC, LSSBB
Director, SaferCare Texas

Estelle Harris-Neufville, LCSW, CDP^®, CADDCT^®
Social Services Coordinator, Center for Older Adults, HSC Health

Janice Knebl, DO, MBA, FACP, MACOI, CPPS
DSWOP Endowed Chair in Clinical Geriatrics, UNT Regents Professor, HSC Health Chief, Medical Officer, Internal Medicine and Geriatric Department, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Laine Markham, MMS, MBA, PA-C
Clinical Medical Director, Multispecialty Medicine, HSC Health; Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine and Geriatric Department, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine

Leslie Reyna, MSW, CHW
Assistant Director of Strategy and Outreach, SaferCare Texas

Jacob Rogers, PharmD, BCACP
Assistant Professor of Pharmacotherapy, College of Pharmacy

Frances Villafane, MPH, CHWI
Instructor, College of Public Health; Associate Director, Primary and Hospital Systems

Instructional Design

Donnell McKenzie, MEd
Program Manager
CE & Assessment Department, Division of Academic Innovation, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth

Other Contributors(s)