The BMA report on violence against doctors published this week
does not make happy reading given the high levels of violence or abuse
experienced.
What it also reveals is that the perpetrators of this violence
would appear to hold old-fashioned views on medical hierarchy and gender.
At 45%, it is the doctors in training who experience the
highest levels of attacks. Now, one might argue that is because they have less
experience in dealing with agitated people and handling difficult situations,
but it is GPs (some very experienced) who face the next highest levels at 36%.
On the other hand 22% of consultants suffered violence and abuse last year.
There is something of the 1950s or ‘Doctor in the House’ in violent patients’ and relatives’ attitudes
to who is important it would seem.
The other explanation is that women are easier targets.
Thirty-seven per cent of women reported violent incidents compared to 27% of
men. Interestingly medical demographics mean that women are more highly
represented in general practice and junior roles than among consultants.
These may sound like glib assertions, but if doctors are to be
protected from these wholly unacceptable levels of violence, these are
statistics and the trends they real must be analysed so we can understand who
is at risk and why. Only then can medical staff be properly protected.