Table 2.

Categories and core category answering the research question: what is abuse in healthcare (AHC)?

Categories in AHC	Function?	Core category
Relative 7	Legitimising AHC?	AHC is a summoning stone in the shoe!
Unintentional 8	Legitimising AHC?
Unacceptable: you are bound to act! 8	Protecting the patient from AHC?
Ubiquitous 9	Protecting the patient from AHC?
Dehumanising the patient 10	Protecting the patient from AHC?

Note: figures represent the number of interviews represented in each category.