Violence against healthcare workers in the middle of a global health crisis: what is it about policy and what to learn from international comparison?

Frontiers in Public Health

Public Health

Gabriela Lotta¹  Alexandra Dopfer-Jablonka²  Ellen Kuhlmann³  Michelle Falkenbach⁴  Tim Tenbensel⁵ 

[1] Department of Public Administration, Getulio Vargas Foundation, São Paulo, Brazil;Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany;German Center for Infection Research, Brunswick, Germany;Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany;Health and Health Systems, Faculty I, University of Siegen, Siegen, Germany;European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Brussels, Belgium;Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Health Systems, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand;

关键词: healthcare workforce;    violence against healthcare workers;    health policy;    global health crisis;    public health;    COVID-19 pandemic;    international comparison;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2023.1182328

 received in 2023-03-08, accepted in 2023-04-13,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

IntroductionViolence against healthcare workers is a global health problem threatening healthcare workforce retention and health system resilience in a fragile post-COVID ‘normalisation’ period. In this perspective article, we argue that violence against healthcare workers must be made a greater priority. Our novel contribution to the debate is a comparative health system and policy approach.MethodsWe have chosen a most different systems comparative approach concerning the epidemiological, political, and geographic contexts. Brazil (under the Bolsonaro government) and the United Kingdom (under the Johnson government) serve as examples of countries that were strongly hit by the pandemic in epidemiological terms while also displaying policy failures. New Zealand and Germany represent the opposite. A rapid assessment was undertaken based on secondary sources and country expertise.ResultsWe found similar problems across countries. A global crisis makes healthcare workers vulnerable to violence. Furthermore, insufficient data and monitoring hamper effective prevention, and lack of attention may threaten women, the nursing profession, and migrant/minority groups the most. There were also relevant differences. No clear health system pattern can be identified. At the same time, professional associations and partly the media are strong policy actors against violence.ConclusionIn all countries, muchmore involvement from political leadership is needed. In addition, attention to the political dimension and all forms of violence are essential.

【 授权许可】

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Copyright © 2023 Kuhlmann, Falkenbach, Lotta, Tenbensel and Dopfer-Jablonka.