Threats, verbal or even physical attacks… Doctors are increasingly becoming victims of violence. According to the latest Physician Safety Observatory report released on Tuesday, July 26, 2021 saw 1,009 cases. The numbers compare to last year when there were 955 attacks. However, this data would be an underestimate as only 32% of professionals complain.
After a decline in incidents in 2018 and 2019, with the number of violent incidents falling from 1,126 to 1,084, the Covid-19 pandemic appears to have reversed the trend. In 2021, 59 out of 1009 incidents will have “due to a health crisis“, – states the document published by the National Council of the Order of Doctors (CNOM). He specifically mentionsrefusal to respect health rules“such as wearing a mask or restricting people’s access to medical facilities.
General practitioners, most concerned
Among all healthcare professionals, general practitioners (61%) are the most affected by violence. Compared to 2018, the indicator decreased slightly (70%). Moreover, in 53% of assault cases, women are the main victims. In addition, other medical specialties such as cardiologists are also affected by these incidents. 55 of them reported being subjected to violence, compared to 21 in 2020. Therefore, within a year, these indicators have doubled.
The incidents suffered by doctors are numerous and of varying severity. More than two-thirds (70%) of attacks “verbally and accompanied by threats– the report says. Additionally, we observe 10% of thefts or attempted thefts, including 4% by prescription. CNOM counts 9% physical violence and 8% vandalism. These incidents, all of which are traumatic for doctors, lead to lost work. 58 of them were arrested as a result of the attack in 2021.
Various motives
The facts revealed in the study occur mainly in urban areas, and more specifically in the city center. It is important to note that violence in the context of medical practice has increased in the suburbs, from 16% in 2020 to 22% in 2021. The Northern Department (Hauts-de-France) is very concerned about this phenomenon because: it has the highest rate of declarations, with 129 incidents in 2020, compared to 139 in 2021.
As for the profiles of the aggressors, in 54% of cases they are the patients. 2% of them had weapons. Their motivations can be diverse. 37% operate “criticism of care“, 17% due to refusal to prescribe medication or termination of work, and 9% committed thefts.
Not enough complaints
Despite the violence of certain attacks, only a third of doctors (32%) complain;a proportion that drops to 20% among doctors who are victims of verbal abuse“, the document states. What does “more than a third of professionals“Victims of physical violence”.did not file a complaint“, he insists. A finding difficult for the College of Physicians to accept, which encourages all practitioners to report incidents and lodge complaints.
The report also mentions the presence of commissions.vigilance-violence-security“, has been deployed in departmental councils to support and assist victims’ actions. CNOM reminds that any report allows “to know the insecurity issues faced by doctors in the area“, “analyze the reasons“and”cooperate with government bodies“.
Source: Le Figaro
