Plans afoot to prevent violence against doctors

Alarmed at the growing instances of patients’ relatives targeting doctors at state-run and private hospitals, plans are afoot to put in place a set of measures to prevent such acts of violence in future.

On Wednesday, a meeting was held in KEM Hospital, along with its medical superintendent, police and Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctor (Mard).

Assault on resident doctors even led to many strikes in Mumbai.

Dr Sanjay Surase, medical superintendent of JJ Hospital, said, “There is lack of communication between doctors and patients. Doctors should discuss in details the treatment given to patients.”

Dr Sagar Mundada, president of Mard, said “Poor doctor to patient ratio and work overload results in poor communication. Government hospitals are grappling with shortage of personnel, either because they are under-staffed or because of rampant non-attendance among the support staff.”

The new norms for communication would be set up as soon as the government gives a nod.

They are: Mandatory communication skills for doctors; police to help tackle violent situations and psychological counselling for patients and relatives.