Aggression towards medics. “Statistics are dramatic”

Paramedics are the most exposed to aggression. We doctors are in fourth place – said Professor Bohdan Maruszewski in “Facts after Facts” on TVN24, giving statistics on aggression towards medical workers. Dr. Ewa Woydyłło-Osiatowska marked the role of “hunt” for doctors.

Medics alert that patients' violence is almost everyday life. At the end of April, the matter of attack on doctor at the University Hospital in Krakow. The victim is dead. In January, a paramedic was deadly lost in Siedlce.

Dr. Ewa Woydyłło-Osiatowska, a psychologist and a therapist of addiction and prof. Bohdan Maruszewski, children's cardiac surgeon, co -founder of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity.

Prof. Maruszewski: Statistics are dramatic

Professor Maruszewski admitted that during 45 years of work in health care, he also experienced aggression several times. – It is very good that we are talking about aggression towards health care workers. The most exposed to aggression – and these are research from 2024 – there are paramedics. The most acts of aggression are on SOR, in ambulances, in hospital wards, but nurses are in second place – he pointed out.

He also said that the statistics are “dramatic” because 97 percent of lifeguards say that they met with aggression, in 20 percent of cases it was physical violence “, after which medical assistance was required.

In third place in terms of experiencing aggression prof. Maruszewski gave medical recorders.

– We, doctors, are in fourth place when it comes to the threat of aggression from patients, on the part of their families – he explained.

Aggression towards medical workers. “Criminal accusations”

Doctor Woydyłło-Osiatowska pointed out that the genesis of such patients' relationship to healthcare workers has a long history. “It started with the fact that at some point there were houses for doctors, they were open, troublesome and I would even say criminal accusations,” she said.

In her opinion, this left a “trail” among the patients. She also pointed out that aggression and conflict between different groups is a common phenomenon in society.

Acts of aggression “should not be justified, but sometimes they are understandable”

Prof. Bohdan Maruszewski also recalled research according to which alcohol “is responsible only in 10 percent of cases for the acts of aggression” towards health care workers. – First of all, it is frustration related to the non -functionality of the health care system – he pointed out.

As possible reasons, he mentioned “for long queues” or “dramas that take place on SOR, where patients have been waiting too long.” – A man in a life -threatening state has the right to defend himself, to fight for his survival, for his health. Hence these acts of aggression, although they should never be justified, but sometimes they are understandable – he added.

Dr. Woydyłło-Osiatowska pointed to the role of upbringing and personal culture. – Adults stopped raising their pupils. (…) vulgarity, vulnerability, mutual hostility has always been (…). However, barriers and brakes have been removed with us – she assessed.

Prof. Maruszewski supplemented that “the level of aggression in public life is growing”. – Unfortunately, the research also shows that the amount of aggressive behavior, in relation not only to health care workers, but to all public officials, is growing rapidly – he added.

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