"Context of silence" : violence and the remote area nurse

"Anecdotal evidence exists to suggest that the incidence of violence directed towards remote and rural health professionals is severe and increasing. Furthermore, some remote area nurses have reported increasing evidence of violent interactions as a significant motivation for their departure from remote area nursing practice. Limited research has been conducted which specifically addresses the risk and experience of violence to health professionals who practice in remote communities...The purpose of this study was to explore the anecdotal evidence that violence is a prevalent stressor to remote area nurses within isolated communities, and to assess their repertoire of coping skills in effectively managing violent situations. The study utilised 'across method triangulation' combining quantitative (in the form of a questionnaire survey of remote area nurses) and qualitative methods (in the form of open ended questions) within the questionnaire and group interviews of voluntary participants"--p. 1.