Abstract

This descriptive exploratory study is based on in-depth interviews with patient attendants drawn from three Montreal-area hospitals. The sample reflects the age and gender proportions of the patient attendant populations in these institutions. The issues addressed include: the reasons for doing this type of work, which aspects of the work the patient attendants like and dislike, the actions taken to improve the work environment, and abuse suffered by patient attendants in the workplace. Although the literature clearly shows that hospital staff are subject to considerable abuse, most research deals with nurses' work experiences with very little focus on the patient attendants' experiences. Patient attendants are not immune to this phenomena, and physical and verbal abuse are almost an accepted part of their daily work life. Faced with repeated acts of abuse, the majority of patent attendants, males and females alike, tend to ignore these incidents or take evasive action. Verbal reports of abuse are rarely made and nobody files a written complaint. Despite high levels of abuse, the majority of patient attendants enjoy their work, especially the contact with the patients and most of them would choose to do the same type of work again. Recommendations are made concerning the need for further research to identify the extent of abuse in Quebec hospitals.