Close to 60 per cent of the respondents perceived that there has been an increase in reported cases of violence against healthcare since the start of the pandemic
The International Council of Nurses, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Hospital Federation, and the World Medical Association carried out a joint survey from May to July 2021 to understand the perceptions of violence against healthcare during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic and to identify good practices implemented in prevention, reduction or mitigation of violence, with a focus on (but not limited to) those measures implemented during the early stage of the pandemic.
The survey also identified successful approaches taken by healthcare providers to lower incidences of violence against healthcare.
Survey results show that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened violence against healthcare, with a documented increase of incidents in many countries.
Health personnel and their patients, as well as healthcare facilities and ambulances, are subject to persistent acts of violence in all regions of the world. The results of a global survey conducted in 2021 reveal an increase in reported incidents since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Close to 60 per cent of the respondents perceived that there has been an increase in reported cases of violence against healthcare since the start of the pandemic. The survey also identified successful approaches taken by healthcare providers to lower incidences of violence against healthcare.
From raising awareness about violence on health personnel at the community level, to the development of new legislations to protect them, the survey shows that solutions can be found. Frequent under-reporting of incidents of violence indicates that awareness-raising is needed among the health personnel themselves. A better and more robust system of reporting, monitoring, and analysis of data is necessary for a better understanding of the magnitude of the violence phenomenon and appropriate decisions in response.
It also shows the importance of improving relations between the health personnel and patients and their family members, who are perceived as the main aggressors. The display of ethical and accountable behaviour is a factor, but the training of health personnel on communication skills for de-escalating potential violent situations was perceived as the most popular measure.
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