Citation

Sharma R, Hossain MM, Pawar P. J. Family Med. Prim. Care 2020; 9(5): 2585-2586.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Medknow Publications)

DOI

10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_149_20

PMID

32754554 PMCID

Abstract

In the journal's earlier issue, the editorial "Death of a doctor - Ek Doctor Ki Maut--Time to boost the ailing and failing public health system in India",[1] rightfully presses upon the need to strengthen India's ailing primary healthcare system to prevent workplace violence (WPV) against doctors in India. The severity mentioned in this editorial coincides with the findings of a recent meta-analysis,[2] which found that the pooled prevalence of WPV among 2849 healthcare providers in India was 63% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54-72%). Moreover, the prevalence of verbal violence (52%; 95% CI, 45-60%) was higher than physical violence (8%; 95% CI, 5-11%),[2] which highlights the death of a doctor or similar news reporting physical injuries are the tip of the iceberg, where the actual magnitude of WPV is much higher in reality. A robust primary care system can decongest the over-burdened tertiary care hospitals, preventing their overcrowding--a major precipitating factor for WPV against doctors and other healthcare professionals.[1] Within this context, though revitalizing the primary care system is required across the country, ensuring safer workplaces for healthcare professionals serving under such a system would be equally essential and requires attention towards some critical dimensions.

First, ensuring optimum structural and functional capacities and improving the security management of primary healthcare facilities are essential. Preventing discomfort and impatience among patients and healthcare professionals, which may arise due to poor and unsafe infrastructure is critical for avoiding violent scenarios, especially in resource-constrained settings. Additionally, advanced security and surveillance systems can provide security oversight over primary care facilities and help make decisions to avoid potential conflicts. Including real-time video-surveillance and maintaining digital records of the individuals entering the primary care facility's premises can be considered within such security systems.

Second, strengthening emergency management and referral services at primary care centers is indispensable. Several strategies can be adopted for this purpose, such as institutionalizing trauma management protocols to promptly refer patients to pre-specified healthcare facilities depending upon the type of injuries sustained, ensuring around the clock ambulance services, setting up hotlines for communication during rapid response emergency cases, and establishing a centralized information system between patients and health services organizations for better coordination of emergency and referral care.

Third, building capacities of those involved in delivering primary care would be necessary to...

Language: en