Citation

Pandey SK, Sharma V. Indian J. Ophthalmol. 2019; 67(11): 1903-1905.

Affiliation

SuVi Eye Institute and Lasik Laser Center, Kota, Rajasthan, India.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.4103/ijo.IJO_1322_19

PMID

31638071

Abstract

Sadly, in today's world, doctors do not hold the same place of respect as they did 15 to 20 years back and there is a steadily declining mutual trust and erosion of the doctor–patient relationship. There is an increasing trend of aggression and violence against the doctors/healthcare professionals in India and it has become a frightening new epidemic. Almost every week, there is an incidence of violence against a doctor or hospital. As responsible members of the medical fraternity, it is our duty to strengthen the doctor–patient relationship and follow measures to prevent or minimize violence against doctors. Small- and medium-healthcare establishments, female specialists (obstetrics and gynecology), and resident doctors working in public hospitals/medical colleges/teaching hospitals are the most vulnerable. All the members of medical fraternity and health professionals working in a hospital need to prepare themselves because they also can be one of the sufferers of violence against doctors.

It is high time that this trend of aggression and violence is reversed and the doctors and healthcare providers are provided with the protection they need. The government must take measures to provide hospitals and other healthcare facilities a safer environment for all by better allocation of the GDP in health care. This would enable the doctors to work with full dedication and devotion without fearing for their lives. Sensational news by media houses about a patient dying because of the alleged negligence of doctors only serves against the interest of the patient.[1] More and more doctors are now refusing to tackle serious cases fearing for their lives. As a result, more precious lives are being lost.

As nicely summarized in the editorial, the government, societies, and doctors themselves can drastically decrease the violence against healthcare providers in India by utilizing and implementing several measures ...

Language: en