A crisis of trust and deterioration of the social norms - Addressing the surge in violence against doctors

Abstract

Man is a social animal, so social behaviour is the cornerstone of any society and this holds true for all the members. The rising tide of violence against medical professionals in India is a deeply disturbing phenomenon that demands urgent attention. Recent data reveal that up to 75% of doctors have faced verbal or physical workplace violence, a figure corroborated by multiple studies and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) 1, 2 . The problem is more widespread than initially thought to be and many cases go unreported 3 . This alarming statistic is more than a number, it signals a breakdown in both the doctor-patient relationship and the structural integrity of our healthcare system. Of late, there has been a surge in such incidents and this problem is becoming more persistent and intractable. Meagre government spending on healthcare associated with the poor socioeconomic status of the patient and the ever-rising cost of treatment has worsened the situation in present times 4, 5 . Therefore, there is a dire need of corrective measures in the form of strong legislations, increased spending on the health care system and steps to improve the communication skills of our health care professionals.