
A recent survey has revealed that 37% of doctors in Vienna are regularly affected by violence. More than half (55%) of 1,102 surveyed doctors had encountered verbal violence at least once in the past two years, and a quarter (24%) had been exposed to psychological violence in their profession. “16% have experienced physical violence,” said Johannes Steinhart, President of the Medical Chamber, at a press conference on Thursday.
The violence is primarily from patients, followed by their relatives, the survey by the polling institute Peter Hajek showed. The main causes of aggression and violence were long waiting times, overcrowded practices and hospitals, and staff shortages. 71% of the surveyed doctors in Vienna noted an overall increase in aggression in society.
Of the 37% who were regularly affected by violence in the last two years, 27% reported experiencing it “repeatedly,” 8% said they were confronted with violence “frequently,” and 2% stated they faced it “almost daily.”
Hospital doctors reported experiencing violence most often (60%), but incidents also occur in medical practices (30%). Younger doctors under 40, employed physicians, and those working in the Vienna Health Network were more likely to experience violence, said Hajek. More than half of the survey participants already suffer from psychological insecurity (55%). 68% want additional measures to combat workplace violence.
Medical Chamber Demands Action
Steinhart expressed “great concern” over the results. Together with his Vice Presidents Naghme Kamaleyan-Schmied and Natalja Haninger-Vacariu, he called for at least 1,000 additional public health plan positions nationwide to reduce waiting times – including in hospitals to shorten the wait for surgeries. Politicians must develop measures that ensure violence-free work environments, and health facilities require special protection from law enforcement, they added.
Hospital operators must also raise awareness about workplace violence, not downplay incidents, and thoroughly investigate and evaluate each case. They should also offer de-escalation seminars to provide doctors with conflict resolution tools. “Aggression and violence must have no place in our medical practices and hospitals,” the three members of the Vienna Medical Chamber’s presidency agreed.