How Psychology Contributes to Delayed Response in Healthcare Emergencies
Understanding the Fear of Calling for Help
The fear of calling for help in hospital settings refers to the reluctance or hesitation experienced by healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, when faced with threatening or violent situations that require immediate assistance. This fear is especially prevalent in scenarios involving workplace violence, where the need for swift intervention is crucial for the safety of both staff and patients.
In hospitals, this fear often arises during incidents of workplace violence, such as when a nurse is confronted with an aggressive or violent patient, visitor, or even a colleague. The unpredictability of these situations and the potential for escalation make it difficult for nurses to determine the appropriate course of action, leading to hesitation in calling for help.
This fear is highly relevant to healthcare workers, particularly nurses, who are on the front lines and often face the brunt of workplace violence. Hesitating to call for help in these situations can compromise their own safety, the safety of their colleagues, and even the safety of patients who might be caught in the crossfire. Delayed interventions or a lack of immediate support can lead to serious harm, exacerbating the danger in already volatile situations.
Fear of Escalation
In high-stress healthcare environments, the fear of escalating a violent situation can be a significant barrier to seeking assistance. Nurses and other healthcare workers may hesitate to call for help out of concern that their actions could provoke the aggressor, making an already volatile situation even more dangerous.
The thought of escalating an incident, particularly in cases of workplace violence, can be daunting. Healthcare professionals might worry that activating an alarm or calling for security could aggravate the aggressor, leading to further hostility or even physical harm. This fear is especially pronounced in scenarios where the individual causing the disturbance is highly agitated or unpredictable, and the potential for violence is imminent.
Moreover, the fear of escalation is often compounded by concerns about potential repercussions. Healthcare workers may worry that their actions could lead to retaliation from the aggressor, or they may fear criticism from colleagues and supervisors for how they handled the situation. This apprehension can create a significant psychological barrier, causing nurses to hesitate in calling for help, even when it’s clearly necessary to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them.
Anxiety and Decision Paralysis
In situations involving workplace violence, healthcare professionals often experience intense anxiety and stress, which can severely impact their ability to take decisive action. The pressure to make the right decision, combined with the fear of exacerbating an already dangerous situation, can lead to a state of decision paralysis, where individuals become immobilized and unable to act.
Anxiety is a natural response to perceived threats, and in the context of workplace violence, it can be particularly overwhelming. When confronted with an aggressive or violent individual, healthcare workers may experience a surge of anxiety that triggers a fight-or-flight response. This physiological reaction can impair clear thinking, making it difficult to assess the situation objectively and respond appropriately.
Cognitive overload, a state where individuals are overwhelmed by the volume of information and stimuli, can further exacerbate decision paralysis. In the chaotic environment of a violent incident, healthcare workers must quickly process numerous factors, such as the behavior of the aggressor, the safety of others, and potential escape routes. This flood of information can overwhelm cognitive resources, leading to mental gridlock where individuals struggle to prioritize actions and make timely decisions.
The pressure to make the right decision is particularly intense in situations of workplace violence, where the stakes are not only the safety of the patients but also the physical safety of the healthcare workers themselves. The fear of making the wrong call—such as inadvertently escalating the situation or failing to protect themselves or others—can lead to a state of analysis paralysis. In this state, healthcare workers may become fixated on weighing every possible outcome, ultimately delaying or preventing the necessary action.
Fear of Judgment or Embarrassment
A significant psychological barrier to calling for help during incidents of workplace violence in healthcare settings is the fear of being perceived as overreacting or being judged by peers. Nurses and other healthcare professionals often feel a strong need to appear competent and in control, and the act of seeking assistance can be misinterpreted as a sign of weakness or inability to manage the situation independently.
This fear is often intensified by the workplace culture in many healthcare facilities. In environments that emphasize self-reliance and where there is a stigma associated with asking for help, healthcare workers may feel pressured to handle violent situations on their own, even when it is unsafe to do so. The fear of being labeled as “overreacting” or “incompetent” can cause individuals to second-guess their instincts and hesitate to call for help, potentially putting themselves and others at greater risk.
The hierarchical structure common in healthcare organizations can further exacerbate this fear. Junior staff members, such as nurses who are new to the profession, may feel especially vulnerable to judgment from more experienced colleagues or superiors. The desire to prove oneself and avoid appearing inadequate can lead to a reluctance to seek assistance during violent incidents, even when it is clearly necessary.
Low Self-Efficacy
A healthcare worker’s hesitation to call for help during incidents of workplace violence can often stem from a lack of confidence in their ability to handle the situation effectively, a phenomenon known as low self-efficacy. This lack of confidence can be influenced by several factors, including insufficient training or limited experience in dealing with violent situations.
Without sufficient preparation and practice, healthcare workers may feel ill-equipped to assess the severity of a violent situation or to take the necessary steps to protect themselves and others. This uncertainty can lead to hesitation, as they struggle with the fear of making a mistake or appearing incompetent in front of their peers.
Experience also plays a significant role in shaping a healthcare professional’s self-efficacy. Novice practitioners, or those who are new to their roles, may experience heightened levels of self-doubt, especially when faced with the intense pressure of a violent situation that demands quick and decisive action.
The 'Boy Who Cried Wolf' Effect
The ‘Boy Who Cried Wolf’ effect is a psychological phenomenon that can contribute to the hesitation healthcare workers feel when deciding whether to call for help during incidents of workplace violence. This effect arises from the fear that after multiple calls for assistance that turned out to be non-critical, future calls may not be taken seriously.
If a nurse or other healthcare worker has previously called for help in situations that were later deemed non-emergencies, they may internalize these experiences and develop a fear of being dismissed or not taken seriously in the future. This can lead to a reluctance to call for help during actual violent incidents, as they worry about being perceived as overreacting or being judged by their colleagues.
One significant consequence of repeatedly calling for help in non-critical situations is the potential desensitization of colleagues and responders. When emergency alarms or calls for assistance are perceived as being overused or unnecessary, it can lead to a diminished sense of urgency or a tendency to downplay the seriousness of future calls.
A Solution to Overcome Hesitation
The fear of calling for help in hospitals is a multifaceted issue rooted in various psychological factors. Ultimately, the gravity of timely intervention cannot be overstated.
De-escalation technology addresses the hesitation healthcare workers often experience in violent situations. By providing a discreet and controlled way to call for help, this technology reduces the fear of escalating the conflict, which is a major barrier to timely intervention. Healthcare workers can request assistance quietly, minimizing the risk of aggravating the situation while ensuring that help is on the way.
This technology also offers a middle ground between doing nothing and triggering a full-scale alarm, which is crucial for those who fear being perceived as overreacting. By using de-escalation tools, staff can take proactive steps to manage potentially volatile situations without hesitation, knowing they have a safety net that won’t make things worse.
Incorporating Pinpoint’s de-escalation technology into healthcare settings is a proactive step toward overcoming the fears and psychological barriers that hinder effective response during incidents of workplace violence. By providing discreet, versatile, and easy-to-use safety tools, Pinpoint helps create a safer, more supportive environment where healthcare workers can perform their duties with confidence, knowing that they have the means to protect themselves and their colleagues. Get a free demo of the platform!