Workers' security threaths in healthcare facilities

Abstract

The pervasive nature of uncertainty, particularly in the context of security threats, has become a defining feature of contemporary public and private sector organisational environments. While the study of uncertainty as a phenomenon has garnered significant attention in its own right, its impact on professionals and their daily practices remains underexplored. The study delves into the complex landscape of security threats faced by healthcare professionals, particularly coined with how uncertainty related to security threats, has re-shaped the everyday experiences and workflows of professionals, offering an extensive analysis that significantly advances an understanding of this critical issue. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the pressing issue of workers’ security concerns within the healthcare sector in Lesotho, with the focus on healthcare professionals in Mafeteng Hospital and Mohlomi Psychiatric Hospital. The aim is to investigate security threats that healthcare professionals face; identify the multifaceted drivers influencing these concerns; assess the effects of existing security threats on workers’ disposition to work; and to evaluate the institutional measures in place to protect employees from harm at healthcare facilities. Employing a mixed-methods exploratory approach, this study combines quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather data. For the quantitative aspect, a stratified sampling approach was used to select respondents from the sample population. From each stratum, individuals were selected based on their roles and departments within the healthcare setting. On the qualitative front, however,the study employs a purposive sampling to select 20 participants. These individuals were stratified into different departments, including maternity, psychiatry, laboratory, pharmacy, paediatrics and administration departments. Data was collected through in- depth interviews with participants using an interview guide and a thematic analysis was employed for data analysis. The findings reveal that security threats in healthcare settings are not isolated incidents but are deeply embedded in the complex interactions and structural characteristics of the healthcare environment. According to the findings, the psychological and emotional toll on healthcare professionals is profound, necessitating the development of comprehensive support systems to address these challenges. Current interventions aimed at mitigating these threats are often perceived as ineffective, highlighting the need for a re-evaluation of existing strategies. The study also underscores the limited confidence in community engagement initiatives and the differential impact of threats across the two healthcareenvironments. Therefore, the study advocates for paradigm shift from reactive to proactive security management, emphasising the need for predictive analytics, early warning systems, and comprehensive risk assessments. The implications of this research are far-reaching, offering valuable insights for enhancing communication channels.