- Violence in Practice - "Feeling Helpless and Helpless"
Doctors are witnessing an increase in violence in medical practices. "There is a coarsening in the treatment of medical staff," says the German Medical Association. Andreas Gassen, head of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV), told the "New Osnabruecker Zeitung" about verbal and physical violence: "Open aggression and extremely demanding behavior have increased significantly." The tense situation is "undoubtedly" contributing to the shortage of skilled workers in practices, the association of practicing physicians commented.
How tense is the situation?
There are no nationwide figures on the issue, the German Medical Association told dpa. The Medical Association of Westphalia-Lippe (AWKL) last published a survey of its members' experiences with violence in their daily medical practice in May. Within just a few days, 4,513 doctors - around ten percent of chamber members - responded.
More than half (2,917) said "yes" to the question: "Have you had to experience violence in your medical practice in the past?" 1,339 cases were reported to have occurred in medical practices alone. Hans-Albert Gehle, president of the AWKL, spoke of a noticeable and sustained increase in violent incidents and massive stress on those affected.
"Andreas Gassen, head of the KBV, told the 'New Osnabruecker Zeitung': "That patients can't behave and have a skewed assessment of their own treatment urgency is a phenomenon that transcends nations. But what also happens frequently is that someone is sick and six people come along as accompaniment to the practice or emergency room and make a racket. That's remarkable and extremely unpleasant." Gassen called for clear and swift penalties: "It needs clear and swift penalties. Otherwise, the message doesn't get through to some people."
Buschmann wants to toughen criminal law
Justice Minister Marco Buschmann (FDP) wants to toughen criminal law, among other things, to better protect emergency services from harassment and violence. The adaptation, which has not yet been decided, should be extended to medical practices, Gehle demanded.
Health Minister Karl Lauterbach (SPD) spoke out on the platform X in favor of stronger punishment for violence or threats of violence against doctors and nurses. "We are already facing a massive shortage of doctors, practices can't be restaffed," he wrote. He is working with the Minister of Justice on the law to toughen penalties.
The German Medical Association supports the project. Crimes against these professional groups should not only be punished more severely, but also effectively prosecuted and clarified, the association demanded in a recently published statement on the draft. "We urgently need clarification campaigns that clearly show that these people are helpers and rescuers," the association said on request. The association of practicing physicians also spoke out in favor of the announced toughening of penalties.
To report a case, some medical associations have already set up a special reporting address for those affected, and there are also training sessions on the topic. For example, the State Medical Association of Hesse has introduced a reporting form. "The current results of the reporting form highlight the urgent need in the medical profession and among medical assistants to counteract feelings of helplessness and powerlessness through, for instance, de-escalation seminars," it said on the website.
But why is there sometimes high violence readiness in doctor's practices? "Especially in stressful and emergency situations, where personal well-being is perceived as restricted, people can then react with anger and aggression," comments psychologist Michael Wiens. "Emotions always have a signaling function that certain needs are not being met."
The increase in violence towards medical staff has led to concerns about the shortage of skilled workers in practices, with the German Medical Association reporting that around 10% of its members have experienced violence in their practices. In response, Justice Minister Marco Buschmann wants to toughen criminal law to better protect emergency services and medical practices from harassment and violence.
