Protest for doctor subjected to violence by doctors

Ankara University Faculty of Medicine physicians and members of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) marched to protest the verbal and physical violence a doctor was subjected to by a patient's relative at the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Cebeci Hospital Pediatric Emergency Department on May 27. The march, which started in front of the Pediatric Clinic where the attack took place, ended at the Chief Physician's Office. The following was stated in the statement made here:

"UNFORTUNATELY, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT OF VIOLENCE AGAINST A DOCTOR AND WE ARE AFRAID IT WILL NOT BE THE LAST"

"On May 27, an intern doctor who was performing triage duties at the Ankara University Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Emergency Department was subjected to both verbal and physical violence by a relative of a patient. Unfortunately, this is not the first incident of violence against a doctor and we are afraid it will not be the last.

"WE DEMAND THE END OF THIS ENVIRONMENT WHERE OUR SECURITY CANNOT BE PROVIDED ANYMORE"

The inadequate intervention of security guards during the incident and the fact that the attacker was taken into observation without considering the order and triage rules and the procedures were expedited as if he were being rewarded, with the decision of the Pediatric Emergency faculty members, have deeply wounded us, the future physicians. Isn’t the statements of the relatives of the patients who witnessed this incident, “Do we have to beat up the doctor so that our work can be done?” an indication of a risk of violence in the future? This behavior of the faculty members, whom we expect to be an example to us, is a wrong and unacceptable behavior that can pave the way for violence against physicians. We are against this attitude that hesitates to condemn even a passive act, sees it as meaningless, blames the victim, normalizes violence in healthcare, and sometimes even tries to make it invisible. We are raised by adopting the most basic principle of medicine, namely, “first do no harm.” We expect the same sensitivity from the academic staff who are supposed to guide us because in this incident, it is not just one of our friends who was harmed, it is all of us. Our faith in the future, our trust in our profession and most importantly, our safety is being damaged. The reason we are here today is not just to react to an incident. We are demanding an end to this environment where our safety is no longer ensured. Think about it: Before we even step into the profession, we encounter violence in our student days and in hospital corridors. As the doctors of tomorrow, we are under a serious threat to our future. Sometimes we are faced with a word, sometimes with a look, and sometimes with direct attack. This picture is unacceptable. In our country, where violence in healthcare is increasing day by day, it is time to start a real fight.

"MORE EFFECTIVE LEGAL REGULATIONS SHOULD BE MADE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST VIOLENCE IN HEALTH CARE"

While physicians, nurses, and healthcare professionals put their lives on the line every day to save lives, they should not be treated with violence in return. Today, we are calling out to the Dean and Chief Physician of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine, the Council of Higher Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, and all relevant institutions: More effective legal regulations should be made to combat violence in healthcare. The safety of students, interns, and resident physicians should be considered a top priority. Sanctions should be applied against attitudes and behaviors that encourage or ignore violence. In university hospitals, where medical education should be prioritized, an education and working environment that will protect the value and professional honor of the medical profession, which has been disregarded as a result of performance pressure and populist practices in healthcare, should be provided. We want the faculty members responsible for interns and resident physicians to stand behind the physicians, and the faculty members who guide with their words to show up in the squares regarding our problems. We are young physician candidates who know the sanctity of healthcare and are devoted to this profession. However, no ideal can sprout in an environment of violence. We will not give up our fight for a peaceful, safe and respectful healthcare system. We invite all my friends, professors and healthcare workers here to be a part of this solidarity and raise our voices together."