A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Reducing workplace violence in emergency medical services: a Finnish Delphi study to develop prevention guidelines
Authors: Hänninen, Joonas; Peltonen, Laura-Maria; Riihimäki, Heikki; Saari, Teijo I.; Paulin, Jani
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Publication year: 2026
Journal: International journal of emergency medicine
Article number: 141
Volume: 19
ISSN: 1865-1372
eISSN: 1865-1380
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-026-01245-7
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-026-01245-7
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/523439489
Self-archived copy's licence: CC BY NC ND
Self-archived copy's version: Publisher`s PDF
Background: Workplace violence (WPV) is a risk to emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. The purpose of this study is to create consensus-based guidelines for EMS supervisory level to address the risk of WPV in EMS work.
Methods: Delphi method was utilised with multiprofessional Finnish expert panel (n = 43). The study included two web-based Delphi stages. Consensus was considered achieved when ≥ 80% agreement was reached.
Results: Round one comprised of EMS WPV related topics organised into five predefined thematic areas, developed by the study group based on a literature review and tacit professional expertise. Each theme included both structured statement ratings and open-ended questions to explore panellists' perspectives and reasoning. For round two, 25 statements were aggregated. Consensus agreement threshold was reached on 19 of 25 statements. Three core priorities were identified for reducing WPV in EMS: (1) defining acceptable behaviour for staff and patients in EMS, (2) mental health training and de-escalation skills, and (3) national systemic models and technology in WPV prevention.
Conclusions: Zero tolerance policies towards violence in EMS are not feasible in practise. Emergency medical services supervision should prioritise WPV risk assessment, risk management by pragmatic standardised training programs and systemic tools, and ongoing intervention evaluations.
Downloadable publication This is an electronic reprint of the original article. |
Funding information in the publication:
The Finnish Work Environment Fund funded the study.