Frontline Stories in Healthcare: Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to submit a story?

Any healthcare professional who has firsthand experience with workplace violence in a healthcare setting is welcome to submit–including full-time and part-time employees, agency staff, contract workers, and traveling professionals. If you work or have worked on the frontlines of healthcare, your story is eligible.

If my story is selected, how will it be used? Where will it be published?

Your story will be published on the OPTICS for Healthcare website as part of our ongoing Frontline Stories in Healthcare collection. Stories may also be featured in advocacy materials, white papers, presentations to the healthcare industry, and other communications designed to advance the understanding of workplace violence in healthcare settings. We may also publish periodic anthologies—curated collections that bring together accounts from across the profession.

Beyond publication, your story serves a deeper purpose. OPTICS for Healthcare is built on a philosophy that draws directly from the wisdom and experience of people on the frontlines of healthcare. What you share helps our team–and the broader field–learn things that data alone can never teach.

How long will my story be?

Most published stories run between 600 and 1,200 words–long enough to give your experience the depth and context it deserves, but focused enough to hold a reader's attention. You don't need to submit a polished narrative. Your initial submission and a brief follow-up conversation are all we need to get started.

What if I'm not sure whether my story is a "Story Behind the Statistics" or a "Prevention/Success Story"?

Don't worry about the label–that's our job. A Story Behind the Statistics centers on the lived experience of workplace violence: what happened, what it revealed, and what others can learn from it. A Prevention/Success Story highlights a moment when the right response, intervention, or system made a real difference. Many experiences contain elements of both. When you submit, simply choose the category that feels closest to your experience. When we speak with you, we'll help determine the best framing together.

What makes a good story?

The most compelling stories are specific, honest, and purposeful. You don't need dramatic writing or a dramatic event. What readers respond to is truth told plainly–what happened, what you observed, and what you want others to understand or do differently because of it. If your story is a Prevention/Success Story, details about what worked and why are especially valuable. What matters most is that your story is real and that it offers something the healthcare community can learn from.

Will my story be edited?

Yes, but always with your approval. Our staff writer will shape your story for clarity, flow, and impact–the kind of editing that makes a story more powerful, not less true. You will review the final version before anything is published. If something doesn't reflect your experience accurately, or if you want to add, change, or remove anything, we will make those adjustments. Nothing goes live without your sign-off.

Is there a requirement that my experience be recent?

Not strictly, but relevance matters. We evaluate each submission on its own merits. If your experience–regardless of when it occurred–offers insight that is meaningful and applicable to the healthcare environment today, it is worth submitting. When in doubt, submit and let us help you determine whether it's a fit.

How can I be sure my story will be kept confidential and that I can remain anonymous if I choose?

Your submission is confidential from the moment you send it. Only OPTICS staff directly involved in the Frontline Stories in Healthcare program will have access to your contact information and the details you share. If your story is selected for publication, you have complete control over how–or whether–you are identified. You may publish under your full name, your first name only, a pseudonym, or simply as "a healthcare professional" with no identifying information at all. We will also review the published story with you to ensure that no details inadvertently identify you, your employer, or others involved, if that is your preference.

What about employer policies regarding confidential and protected information?

We take privacy and confidentiality seriously, and we ask every contributor to do the same.

As a firm editorial standard, no published story will identify a patient, a fellow staff member, or any other individual involved in an incident by name or in any way that could identify them personally. This standard protects everyone and is applied consistently across all published stories.

We also encourage all contributors to be aware of any workplace policies that govern the sharing of information about their organization, its facilities, or its operations. We do not encourage anyone to submit a story that would violate an employer policy or any confidentiality agreement they are subject to.

That said, not every story requires protecting your employer's identity. Some healthcare organizations may welcome recognition for Prevention/Success Stories that highlight an effective response or an innovative approach to workplace violence prevention. If your organization has achieved something worth celebrating–and you believe they might welcome the recognition–there may be an opportunity, with your employer's knowledge and permission, to identify your organization as part of the story. If you believe your story falls into this category, let us know when you submit.

All published stories must comply with applicable privacy laws, including HIPAA, and our editorial process is designed to ensure that standard is met.

What if my experience is related to an active legal proceeding?

If the experience you wish to share is the subject of any pending legal action–whether your own or one involving your employer–we are unable to consider that submission for publication at this time. This policy is in place to protect you, any other parties involved, and the integrity of the program.

Do I have to be a victim of workplace violence to submit a story?

No. Prevention/Success Stories are equally important to us. If you were part of a team that defused a dangerous situation, helped implement a program that changed outcomes, or witnessed a response that others in the field should know about, we want to hear from you. And even if you were a victim, there are things people can learn from your unfortunate experience.

Will I need to sign anything before my story is published?

Yes. Before any story is published, OPTICS will ask you to sign a straightforward publication release. This document confirms your approval of the final story, grants OPTICS the right to publish it, and affirms that the account reflects your own firsthand experience. Your OPTICS staff writer will walk you through it as part of the finalization process. It is a routine step designed to protect both you and OPTICS.

What happens to my submission if my story is not selected?

Not every submission will result in a published story, and we want to be transparent about what happens if yours is not selected. OPTICS retains all submissions to inform our ongoing research, advocacy work, and platform development–even when a story is not published. Your submission helps us understand the landscape of workplace violence in healthcare, and that contribution has real value regardless of publication. You will be notified of our retention policy at the time of your submission, and you may request that your information be deleted at any time by contacting us directly.

How long does the process take from submission to publication?

Timelines vary, but most contributors can expect to go from initial submission to published story in four to six weeks. This includes our review of your submission, scheduling a follow-up conversation, drafting your story, and giving you adequate time to review and approve the final version. In terms of your time — because we know it's valuable — the entire process from submission forward should require no more than a couple of hours.

Is there any cost to participate?

None. There is no charge to submit, develop, or publish your story. OPTICS for Healthcare covers all costs associated with the program.

Can I share my story on social media or with colleagues once it's published?

Absolutely, and we encourage it. The more your story is shared, the greater its impact. Once your story is finalized and published, we will provide you with a link, suggested post language, and other materials to make sharing as easy as possible.

What — or who — is OPTICS for Healthcare?

OPTICS for Healthcare is an AI-native workplace violence prevention platform built specifically for healthcare organizations. We combine assessment, analysis, and action planning tools to help healthcare facilities create safer environments for their staff, patients, and communities. Our team includes healthcare safety experts, technologists, and advocates who believe that protecting healthcare workers is both a moral imperative and a practical necessity. To learn more, visit us at opticshc.com.

Have a question not answered here?

We're happy to help. Reach us directly at info@opticshc.com before you submit, and a member of our team will get back to you promptly.