The role of curiosity as a compassionate tool for de-escalating violence

Workplace violence is a persistent challenge in healthcare, with significant consequences for staff wellbeing, patient safety and care quality. While de-escalation is widely recognised as a key strategy for managing aggression, the role of curiosity has been largely overlooked. This article explores curiosity as a compassionate, reflective approach that deepens understanding of distress and fosters empathetic, non-coercive responses to conflict. Grounded in frameworks such as the Tidal Model and Socratic dialogue, curiosity is presented as a foundation for trauma-informed, person-centred care. A cyclical model of violence prevention shows how cultivating curiosity can reduce conflict and support safer, more-responsive healthcare environments.