Moreover, trust in physicians as a group has receded, along with faith in the system. “There’s currently a growing lack of trust for authority figures in general, and a growing degradation of the blanket of respect for healthcare professionals, especially as media outlets and social media highlight the small number of physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals being charged with crimes,” Dr. Gantwerker said.
Explore This Issue
November 2022G. Richard Holt, MD, D Bioethics, and professor emeritus and clinical professor in the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, believes that the increase in poor patient behavior reflects a more general trend in our society away from interpersonal courtesies and into a more brusque and accusatory manner of interaction. “Perhaps this has been a negative outgrowth of the anonymity of social media, as well as the lingering broad frustrations incited by the pandemic,” he said. Dr. Holt acknowledges the need for healthcare reform to improve access and equity but emphasizes that the safety requirements of the healthcare setting “cannot excuse potentially dangerous behavior.”
The problem has started gaining attention on a national scale. In June 2022, citing the lack of a federal law to protect hospital employees from intimidation and assault, a bipartisan team of U.S. Representatives introduced the Safety from Violence for Healthcare Employees (SAVE) Act. Modeled after current protections enacted for aircraft and airport workers, the bill would criminalize violent behaviors against hospital employees. It would not, however, address the root of the problem, nor provide a roadmap for physicians and their staff to continue providing excellent care to patients while protecting themselves and others.
The Front Lines
Every day, doctors, nurses, and other medical providers willingly place themselves in the vulnerable position of interacting with the public, often with individuals they are meeting for the first time or know only slightly. Most often, these individuals aren’t feeling well; they might be in pain and may be nervous or worried. However, medical professionals are ready for this and, theoretically, have been trained to spot any potential behavioral problems early in the process.
“With experience in patient care, physicians develop a sense of the boundaries of appropriate and inappropriate behavior in the healthcare setting,” said Dr. Holt. “We learn to discern minor, benign behavioral actions from those that may pose a clear danger to others. However, as violent acts in our society appear to be an increasing occurrence, our level of concern must also increase.”