A recent survey conducted by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has revealed alarming findings about the safety of healthcare workers in India. The study, involving 3,885 doctors nationwide, highlights that more than 35% of doctors feel unsafe while performing their duties. The issue of workplace violence, both verbal and physical, is growing, fueled by overcrowding, understaffing, and inadequate security measures.
On November 13, 2024, the tragic stabbing of a doctor at a government hospital in Chennai, while on duty, underscored the deepening crisis. This incident follows the brutal murder of Dr. Vandana Das in Kolkata just three months ago, further emphasizing the persistence of workplace violence in healthcare.
According to a 2017 study by the IMA, over 75% of doctors across India had experienced some form of workplace violence, with nearly 63% reporting an inability to perform their duties without fear. Recent data from IMA Kerala State’s 2024 survey reveals that more than 60% of the respondents were women, many of whom reported being victims of physical and verbal abuse. The survey also found significant gaps in safety measures at healthcare facilities, with 11% of doctors rating their workplaces as “very unsafe” and 24% expressing general feelings of insecurity.
The Root Causes of Workplace Violence:
The survey highlighted multiple risk factors contributing to the rising violence in healthcare settings. These factors include overcrowded hospitals, inadequate staffing, poor security, and the pressures of patient care. The inadequate provision of duty rooms, especially during night shifts, also exacerbates the problem. Less than half of the doctors on night duty had access to a duty room, and only a third of those rooms had attached restrooms. Additionally, over 53% of duty rooms were located far from key areas like wards or casualty departments, leaving doctors vulnerable while navigating poorly lit, isolated corridors.
A key concern raised by the study was the increased exposure to violence during night shifts, particularly in emergency rooms, where doctors often encounter drunk and disruptive individuals. Another common scenario involves doctors being surrounded by crowds when attending to road accident victims or performing emergency procedures. These confrontations lead to verbal and physical altercations, with few incidents being formally reported.
Safety Measures and Recommendations:
The IMA Kerala State survey exposed the desperate need for better security infrastructure. The survey found that many doctors had resorted to carrying personal safety devices like knives and pepper spray due to concerns for their safety. It also revealed that hospitals were often understaffed, leaving inexperienced doctors alone in high-risk areas such as casualty and ICU during night shifts.
The study advocates for simple but effective corrective measures to address this issue. For instance, implementing crowd control and limiting the number of bystanders in patient-care areas can reduce the potential for violent confrontations. It also recommended stricter enforcement of visitor policies to ensure healthcare workers can focus on patient care without unnecessary distractions.
However, legislation alone may not be enough to curb this growing problem. While Kerala’s hospital protection law, enacted in 2012 and updated in 2023, aims to safeguard healthcare workers, violence persists. This highlights the need for a comprehensive approach involving enforcement, improved security protocols, and better working conditions.
Additionally, healthcare organizations like the IMA have been offering communication and soft skills training to doctors, particularly to help them handle difficult patient interactions and break bad news. But even the best-trained professionals cannot work effectively in overcrowded and under-resourced environments. The rising violence in healthcare facilities calls for immediate action from hospital administrators and policymakers to address the root causes and ensure the safety of healthcare professionals.
Credits to Rajeev Jayadevan, published in The Hindu.
