37 percent of Viennese doctors are regularly affected by violence. This is the result of a new study. President of the Medical Association, Johannes Steinhart, is “very concerned” and calls for action from politicians and hospital authorities.
More than half (55 percent) of the 1,102 medical professionals surveyed had been confronted with verbal violence at least once in the past two years and a quarter (24 percent) with psychological violence at work. “16 percent have experienced physical violence,” Johannes Steinhart, president of the Medical Association, said at a news conference Thursday.
Long waiting times, overcrowded practices and a lack of staff are the reasons
The violence comes firstly from patients and secondarily from their relatives, according to a study by Peter Hajek’s opinion research institute. Long waiting times, overcrowded practices and hospitals and a lack of staff were cited as the main causes of aggression and violence. 71 percent of Viennese doctors surveyed see a general increase in aggression in society.
Two percent deal with it almost every day
Of the 37 percent who experienced violence regularly in the past two years, 27 percent said they had such experiences “over and over again.” Eight percent experience violence at work “more often” and two percent “almost every day”.
Those under 40 are more affected
Hospital doctors in particular report experiences of violence (60 percent), but incidents also occur again and again during ordinations (30 percent). Hajek explained that people under the age of 40, employed doctors and people working at the Vienna Health Association are more affected by violence. More than half of the participants in the study already suffer from psychological insecurity (55 percent). 68 percent would like additional measures against violence in the workplace.
Medical Association demands action
Steinhart, president of both the Austrian Medical Association and the Vienna Chamber of Physicians, reported the results “with great concern.” Together with his Viennese vice-presidents Naghme Kamaleyan-Schmied and Natalja Haninger-Vacariu, he called for at least 1,000 additional cash positions across Austria to reduce waiting times – including in hospitals, and shorten the time needed for surgery. Politicians must develop non-violent measures, and health care facilities need special protection from the executive branch, the report said.
Hospital authorities should also raise awareness about workplace violence and not downplay the attacks, but carefully collect and evaluate each case. They should also offer de-escalation seminars to provide physicians with tools for conflict resolution. “Aggression and violence should have no place in our practices and hospitals,” agreed the three members of the Presidium of the Vienna Medical Association.
Source: Krone
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