ru.euronews.com
Rising Violence Against Healthcare Workers in Europe
Across Europe, attacks on healthcare workers are rising, with Spain reporting 847 attacks in 2024 and France seeing a 27% increase in 2023; causes include patient dissatisfaction, long waits, and poor communication, prompting legislative changes and awareness campaigns.
- What are the immediate consequences of the rising violence against healthcare workers in Europe, and how does it impact healthcare systems?
- The World Health Organization reports that up to 38% of healthcare workers experience physical violence during their careers, with even higher rates of verbal and online abuse. In Europe, attacks on healthcare workers have increased for several years, as tracked by the Standing Committee of European Doctors, leading to negative impacts on their mental and physical health, motivation, and availability during crucial times.
- What are the main causes of increased violence against healthcare professionals in various European countries, and how do these factors differ?
- Rising violence against healthcare workers in Europe is a systemic issue with multiple contributing factors. In Spain, 847 attacks were reported in 2024 alone (one every 10 hours), largely targeting female primary care physicians due to disagreements over treatment, diagnoses, sick leave, or medication. France saw a 27% increase in reported incidents in 2023, primarily verbal abuse but including physical attacks like shootings and biting.
- What long-term strategies are being implemented or proposed to combat violence against healthcare workers, and what are their potential effectiveness and limitations?
- The escalating violence against healthcare workers demands comprehensive solutions. While increased reporting in countries like Spain reflects improved awareness, not necessarily more attacks, the underlying causes – poor healthcare funding, communication breakdowns, and patient dissatisfaction – require addressing. Legislative changes, such as stricter penalties in Belgium and Greece, along with initiatives like emergency call buttons and improved staffing, represent important steps.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article frames the issue as a serious and growing problem, emphasizing the negative consequences for healthcare workers and the healthcare system. The use of phrases like "threatening level," "destructive consequences," and "growing problem" contributes to this framing. While the information presented is largely factual, the chosen language and emphasis shape the reader's perception of the severity of the issue.
Language Bias
The article uses strong language to describe the situation, employing words and phrases such as "threatening level," "destructive consequences," and "mraчный рекорд" (translated as "grim record"). While accurately reflecting the seriousness of the issue, this emotive language might exaggerate the problem for some readers. More neutral alternatives could include "significant increase," "negative impacts," and "high number of incidents."
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on European countries and only provides limited data for other regions, potentially creating a biased view of the global prevalence of violence against healthcare workers. While it mentions data from China, India, and the US, it lacks detailed analysis or context for these figures. This omission could mislead readers into thinking the problem is primarily European.
Gender Bias
The article notes that in Spain, 78% of victims were women, and in France, 56% were women. This highlights a gender imbalance, suggesting women in healthcare may be disproportionately affected. However, the article doesn't delve into the underlying reasons for this disparity, which could be a significant area for further investigation.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a significant rise in violence against healthcare workers across Europe and globally. This violence impacts the physical and mental well-being of healthcare professionals, leading to decreased motivation, absenteeism, and ultimately hindering the delivery of quality healthcare services. The consequences range from physical injuries and mental health disorders to, in extreme cases, death. This directly undermines SDG 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.