Following the knife attack on two caregivers at the Reims University Hospital, the 2022 census highlights a sharp increase in violence against doctors (+ 23%).
- The 2022 census highlights a sharp increase in violence against doctors (23% since 2021).
- Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are the regions most affected by this phenomenon, which is also more rooted in urban areas.
- Overall, women are more victims of violence than men, and the majority of reporting physicians are general practitioners.
For the twentieth consecutive year, the National Council of the Order of Physicians (CNOM) publishes in partnership with Ipsos an observatory on the safety of doctors.
Safety of doctors: a sharp increase in violence
“This broadcast coincides this year with the tragic facts of the Reims University Hospital, where a nurse (who died of the attack) and a medical secretary were violently attacked, expressly inviting us once again to broaden the debate on the protection of entire healthcare community”, explains the instance in the preamble.
The survey collects reports of incidents and assaults reported by doctors to their departmental councils of the Order. The census for the year 2022 first highlights a sharp increase in violence (+23% since 2021), an unprecedented fact since the birth of the Observatory. Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France and Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes are the regions most affected by this phenomenon, which is also more rooted in urban areas.
Another lesson from the survey: women are generally more victims of violence than men, and the majority of reporting doctors are general practitioners. 80% of assaults are attacks on people via oral remarks or threats, and 20% are thefts or attempts (prescription, handbag, professional stamp, etc.), physical damage coming in third place.
The first three grounds for violence are “a reproach relating to care”, “a refusal of prescription (medication, work stoppage…)” And “a falsification of document (prescription, certificate…)”.
Significant under-reporting of violence
“The National Council of the Order of Physicians is also aware of a significant under-reporting of the violence of which doctors are victims, in particular those practicing in public and private healthcare establishments”, finally indicate the members of the organization. “In addition, too few doctors go through with the process: in 2022, out of the 1,244 declarations, only 31% of the victims filed a complaint. they conclude in a press release.
