7 ways for doctors to stay safe at work

Being a health care provider has always come with personal risk. We care for all patients, which includes patients agitated due to psychiatric issues, dementia, acute medical illness, alcohol or drug intoxication or just anger. Patients can be extremely volatile and lash out unexpectedly causing physical injury to their doctor, nurse or another provider. Besides the physical risk, patients can be emotionally and verbally abusive as well- and both types of violence take their toll. Workplace violence is on the rise, and OSHA reports indicate that only 70 percent of violent encounters are ever reported upwards to a supervisor. The NEJM published a review article last year on workplace violence calling it a “problem that had been tolerated and largely ignored.” Health care in America now has the highest incidence of workplace violence outside of law enforcement. Continue reading ... Your patients are rating you online: How to respond. Manage your online reputation: A social media guide. Find out how.
Source: Kevin, M.D. - Medical Weblog - Category: General Medicine Authors: Tags: Physician Emergency Medicine Hospital-Based Medicine Primary Care Source Type: blogs