As violence in healthcare rises, service quality declines

9 out of 10 physicians experience violence at least once in their professional lives

New problems are being added to the chronic issues of the healthcare system in Turkey every day. In this first article on 12punto, it would not be wrong to start with a topic that directly concerns public health: violence.

Violence against healthcare workers is one of the most pressing issues of the system in recent years. Because as violence in healthcare rises, service quality declines. As a result of these violent incidents, young, newly graduated doctors are particularly looking for ways to survive abroad, while senior professors are finding the solution in retirement.

Healthcare workers have been stating at every opportunity in recent years that they have become virtually unable to work due to violence. Physicians and healthcare staff, who have been complaining for years that the disruptions in healthcare services are being blamed on them, reiterated their demands once again on April 17, the "Day of Struggle Against Violence in Healthcare."

12 years have passed since Dr. Ersin Arslan was killed by a patient's relative while on duty in Gaziantep on April 17, 2012. So, what happened after 12 years? The reporting of violent incidents has increased more than ever. According to a survey conducted by the Turkish Medical Association in 2023, 9 out of 10 physicians have experienced violence at least once in their lives by a patient or their relative.

There is another important piece of data indicating that 120 thousand violent incidents were reported in 2023, and that violence in healthcare has increased by 86 percent. This means that a significant portion of the 200 thousand doctors in Turkey are exposed to violence. It shows that violence has become a daily routine for a professional group that adopts the principle of "First, do no harm."

According to the 2023 white code data, the more than 50 violence reports made per day are just the tip of the iceberg. In more than half of the violent incidents, no white code report is filed.

PUBLIC HEALTH IS REGRESSING

The number of certificates of good standing issued by the Turkish Medical Association for physicians wishing to work abroad has increased 60-fold in the last 11 years, exceeding 3 thousand people annually.

On the other hand, the fact that the perspective on science and scientists has reached frightening dimensions alongside violence makes it difficult to prevent the migration of physicians.

As professional organizations have stated, it is not just physicians who are subjected to violence in this system; as a result, the health of society is regressing even further. It is the public's health that suffers.