Fed: Aussie doctors fear for safety

AAP General News (Australia)
04-27-2007
Fed: Aussie doctors fear for safety

By Tamara McLean, National Medical Reporter

SYDNEY, April 27 AAP - More than half of doctors in Australia fear for their safety
because of aggressive patients, a survey has found.

Results from a national questionnaire showed 83 per cent of GPs have been verbally
abused by a patient, 43 per cent have been threatened and 12 per cent physically abused.

Almost a third of the 150 GPs interviewed said their practice had no safety protocols
to deal with violent patients, according to the survey by industry publication Medical
Observer.

And over 50 per cent said the problem made them fearful for their safety or the wellbeing
of their staff.

One unnamed Victorian doctor said he had installed tough security measures including
panic buttons, magnetic doors and even a temporary security guard after enduring a two-hour
ordeal with one patient.

"It had a profound impact on us all," he told the publication.

"I actually thought of giving up medicine at that point."

Perth GP Dr Richard Hosking said the results, collected from 150 GPs, were not surprising.

"I probably get threatened several times a year," he reported.

The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, which represents GPs, said the
statistics were worrying, particularly the evidence that staff did not know procedures
for responding to patient aggression.

Australian Medical Association (AMA) spokesman for GPs Dr Rod Pearce said the organisation
was developing new policies and guidelines in light of the results.

Discussions at a recent AMA meeting revealed the problem was widespread and concerning,
Dr Pearce said.

"In a room full of 30 GPs from around the country, they were almost universally reporting
that sort of experience," he said.

"It's important doctors know this is something they shouldn't expect or tolerate.

"But they do need to be prepared to deal with it."

AAP tam/ks/cdh

KEYWORD: GPS

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