A Scoping Review of Workplace Violence Among Nurses in Indonesia: Implications for Educational and Reporting Models

04/08/2026

AI Summary

High prevalence of workplace violence against nurses in Indonesian hospitals, including verbal abuse, threats, harassment and physical assault.
Contributing factors include lack of institutional support, absence of standardised reporting systems, and limited awareness and training.
Urgent need for a structured, culturally adapted educational model integrating reporting mechanisms and preventive strategies to enhance nurse safety and care quality.

AI Summary

In Indonesia, the magnitude of WPV against nurses remains underexplored, and there is limited evidence supporting the development of culturally responsive educational models tailored to local healthcare settings.

Various electronic databases and gray literature were thoroughly examined using relevant keyword combinations: "Workplace Violence," "Nurse," "Hospital in Indonesia," and "Abuse." Studies were included if they (i) constituted original research, (ii) investigated WPV incidents within hospital environments in Indonesia, (iii) specifically focused on nurses, and (iv) utilized either quantitative or qualitative methodologies.

CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for a structured, culturally adapted workplace violence educational model for nurses in Indonesia.

Basic summary

Med Lav. 2026 Aug 3;117(4):17087. doi: 10.23749/mdl.2026.17087.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Workplace violence (WPV) is a critical issue in healthcare systems globally, disproportionately affecting nurses due to their frontline role in patient care. The International Council of Nurses recognizes WPV, including verbal abuse, threats, harassment, and physical assault, as a persistent threat to nurses’ safety and well-being. In Indonesia, the magnitude of WPV against nurses remains underexplored, and there is limited evidence supporting the development of culturally responsive educational models tailored to local healthcare settings.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted to analyze current research on workplace violence affecting nurses in Indonesian hospitals. Various electronic databases and gray literature were thoroughly examined using relevant keyword combinations: “Workplace Violence,” “Nurse,” “Hospital in Indonesia,” and “Abuse.” Studies were included if they (i) constituted original research, (ii) investigated WPV incidents within hospital environments in Indonesia, (iii) specifically focused on nurses, and (iv) utilized either quantitative or qualitative methodologies.

RESULTS: The review identified recurring themes related to the high prevalence of WPV among nurses in Indonesian hospitals. Factors contributing to WPV included a lack of institutional support, the absence of standardized reporting systems, and limited awareness and training. While a few studies proposed interventions, none presented a comprehensive or context-specific educational model for WPV prevention and reporting tailored to Indonesia’s sociocultural setting.

CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for a structured, culturally adapted workplace violence educational model for nurses in Indonesia. Such a model should integrate reporting mechanisms and preventive strategies to ensure workplace safety and improve healthcare services delivered to the community.

PMID:42545243 | DOI:10.23749/mdl.2026.17087

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