‘67 percent of healthcare workers subjected to violence at least for once’

* Photo: Evrensel newspaper

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Essential Health and Social Service Laborers' Union conducted a Turkey-wide research on violence in healthcare services.

Financed by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services, the project was joined by 8 thousand 1 healthcare workers across the country.

As reported by the AA, covering the period from August to October 2020 amid the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the study has shown that 67 percent of the participants have been subjected to a form of violence at least for once while working. While verbal violence has ranked first, it is followed by psychological, physical and sexual violence.

'Violence increases at night'

Of the ones who have said that they were subjected to physical violence, 76.6 percent have said that it was inflicted by the relatives of patients. 

According to the findings of the study, the occupational groups subjected to violence most are emergency medical technicians, medical secretaries, patient care workers, medical documentation officers, security personnel, nurses and ambulance drivers, respectively.

The majority of those who have said that they were subjected to violence have also noted that violence increases at night.

'84 percent of them are afraid'

While 69.7 percent of the respondents have said that they now find the incidents of violence in healthcare normal, 30.3 percent have underlined that they do not find it normal under any circumstances.

84 percent of the respondents have noted that they are constantly anxious, afraid and alert, which affects their productivity negatively.

87.5 percent of the healthcare workers are of the opinion that violence against healthcare staff can be prevented. (RT/SD)