Which action is recommended to reduce horizontal violence in health care organizations?

Which action is recommended to reduce horizontal violence in health care organizations?

• A. Publicize zero-tolerance policies for workplace violence.
• B. How to report via institutional policy and procedures.
• C. Utilizing empathetic, therapeutic communication techniques when collaborating with others.
• D. Organizing continuing education in assertiveness training for employees.

Answer: (C)

Empathetic, therapeutic communication during collaboration directly reduces horizontal violence by shaping everyday interactions in a way that respects colleagues and keeps the focus on patient care. Horizontal violence involves harmful behaviors between coworkers—belittling, back-channeling, exclusion, and other forms of undermining—that often stem from miscommunication, power dynamics, and stress. When teams use empathetic communication, they actively listen, validate others’ perspectives, and respond with nonjudgmental understanding. Therapeutic techniques—such as reflective listening, paraphrasing, open-ended questions, and clear, nonblaming language—help de-escalate conflicts, prevent misunderstandings, and create psychological safety where staff feel safe to speak up and address concerns early. This approach also models the norms of respectful collaboration, which reduces the likelihood that frustrations are vented as harmful behavior toward coworkers. By focusing on how to share concerns, negotiate disagreements, and coordinate care with empathy, the group builds trust and a healthier team culture, making hostile dynamics less likely to arise. While policies, reporting procedures, and targeted skills training are important parts of an overall strategy, they don’t directly transform day-to-day interactions in the moment the way practicing empathetic, therapeutic communication does.

Empathetic, therapeutic communication during collaboration directly reduces horizontal violence by shaping everyday interactions in a way that respects colleagues and keeps the focus on patient care. Horizontal violence involves harmful behaviors between coworkers—belittling, back-channeling, exclusion, and other forms of undermining—that often stem from miscommunication, power dynamics, and stress. When teams use empathetic communication, they actively listen, validate others’ perspectives, and respond with nonjudgmental understanding. Therapeutic techniques—such as reflective listening, paraphrasing, open-ended questions, and clear, nonblaming language—help de-escalate conflicts, prevent misunderstandings, and create psychological safety where staff feel safe to speak up and address concerns early.

This approach also models the norms of respectful collaboration, which reduces the likelihood that frustrations are vented as harmful behavior toward coworkers. By focusing on how to share concerns, negotiate disagreements, and coordinate care with empathy, the group builds trust and a healthier team culture, making hostile dynamics less likely to arise.

While policies, reporting procedures, and targeted skills training are important parts of an overall strategy, they don’t directly transform day-to-day interactions in the moment the way practicing empathetic, therapeutic communication does.