Workplace violence within healthcare systems is a pervasive and underrecognized problem with significant consequences for professional well-being, organizational dynamics, and patient safety. Manifestations include horizontal violence among coworkers, hierarchical aggression from senior to junior practitioners, and power-driven mistreatment exerted by heads of services towards nurses and other staff members. These behaviors have been documented in healthcare institutions worldwide, with research indicating a notable prevalence in South America, where structural resource limitations, rigid and strong hierarchies, and cultural factors can intensify these dynamics.

Drawing on international literature, institutional reports, and regional case studies, this presentation aims to examine the multifaceted nature of workplace violence in healthcare, analyzing both interpersonal and systemic contributors. Evidence suggests that such environments foster or cause burnout, erode job satisfaction, impair team collaboration, and ultimately compromise the quality of care delivered to patients.

Addressing this issue requires more than individual resilience; it demands the implementation of institutional policies, leadership training, and evidence-based interventions aimed at fostering respectful, safe, and equitable working conditions. By highlighting global trends and focusing on the South American context, this work seeks to advance the understanding of workplace mistreatment and contribute to the development of sustainable strategies that protect healthcare workers and strengthen health systems.