Physician exposure to violence: a study performed in Turkey

Abstract

Recently, in Turkey, there has been an increase in the number of violent acts against healthcare workers, towards doctors in particular. This study aimed to investigate the extent of violence, the causes of violence and to evaluate proposed solutions to violence. Out of 597 physicians, 86.4% indicated that they were exposed to at least one type of violence (physical, verbal, sexual) throughout their careers. Among the physicians participating in the study, 27.5% suffered physical threats and 68.6% suffered verbal violence in the past year. Only 40.4% reported the physical violence to their institution. Physicians indicated that the top three causes of violent behavior were excessive demands of patients, the expectation that the issue will be solved immediately and blaming physicians for their problems. To stop violence against themselves, physicians need to raise their voices, along with those of their personal or professional organizations, and should report and follow up incidents.

Workplace violence against physicians in Turkey’s emergency departments: a cross-sectional survey

“…Specifically, emergency medicine residents and specialists who were members of the Emergency Medicine Association of Turkey were contacted via personal e-mail, while the survey was simultaneously publicised through social networking sites to other physicians. 9 The physicians were classified according their area of expertise, as follows: (1) emergency medicine specialist, (2) emergency medicine resident, (3) specialist doctor (other than emergency medicine), (4) academic staff and (5) GP.…”

“…Violence against physicians is most commonly encountered in the EDs of the country. 9 Over the years, the number of patients admitted to EDs in Turkey has increased to such an extent that this number over the last 2 years is greater than the country’s entire population. This has been accompanied by an increase in incidents of violence and various other problems encountered during the provision of services in the EDs.…”

Sağlık Çalışanlarına Yönelik Şiddet: Bir Kamu Hastanesi Örneği

“…Bu çalışmada hekimlerin %96,2'sinin çalışma hayatı boyunca en az bir kez sözel şiddete maruz kaldığı ve sözel şiddet uygulayanların hastalar, diğer hekimler ve hasta yakınları olduğu saptanmıştır. Yapılan bir çalışmada, hekimlerin %96,8'nin en az bir kez sözel şiddete maruz kaldığı belirlenmiştir (16). Türkiye'de sağlık çalışanlarına yönelik şiddeti değerlendirmek amacıyla yapılmış en kapsamlı çalışmada, çalışmaya katılan 3377 hekimin %56,9'unun son bir yılda sözel şiddete maruz kaldığı bulunmuştur (9).…”

“…Hekimlere yönelik fiziksel şiddeti değerlendiren çalışmalarda hekimlerin %8,4-%34,9'unun fiziksel şiddete maruz kaldığı saptanmıştır. Çalışmalarda fiziksel şiddet uygulayıcılarının çoğunluğunu ise bu çalışmada da olduğu gibi hasta ve hasta yakınlarının oluşturduğu tespit edilmiştir (16,18,19). Hekimlere en çok cinsel şiddet uygulayanların kendi meslektaşları olduğu yürütülen çalışmalar ve bu çalışmanın sonucunda belirlenmiştir (20).…”

Illness profile of the patients and risk factors for violence against health care workers working in emergency department

“…problems. 6,7 Work place assaults are gradually increasing every years. Recent data indicated that more than twothirds of physicians experienced work-related assaults and >50% of physicians suffered WPV in the previous year, and nurses are the next most vulnerable group after doctors.…”