Abstract
Objectives:
to characterize workplace violence against nursing professionals working in Basic Family Health Units to reveal their consequences and point out preventive measures.
Methods:
qualitative research with content analysis by thematic categorization. Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews with 26 nursing professionals from twelve Family Health Units in the São Paulo countryside.
Results:
verbal assault from users dissatisfied with the service was the most frequent form of violence experienced, leading to defensive attitudes and feelings of fear and despondency. Participants pointed out education, organizational action and adoption of relational technologies as prevention measures. The mismatch between supply and demand, the lack of decent working conditions and the absence of measures to promote occupational health - combined with a naturalized violence - help to explain this scenario.
Conclusion:
workplace violence is a common experience among nursing professionals and must be mitigated in Primary Health Care. Reflecting on how violence is manifested, its harmful consequences and prevention measures is essential for combating it.
Keywords:
occupational health; workplace violence; nursing team; family health strategy; qualitative research