Richard B Cohen The Twinight Collection

The Official College of Physicians of Ourense has sent me information regarding assault that doctors suffer at the hands of their patients, or users as it is now more correct name, since they may be sick neighbor, or family members healthy.

The figures show that in Spain during the past year 2010, there were 451 attacks on doctors. Were certainly many more, as these data only represent the proportion of those who have been registered with the college physician organizations themselves.

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Aloysius such conflicts has always been a shocking, because it costs a lot to understand how a citizen can be bundled with a stick with a professional supposedly responsible for guarding their health and combat disease. And not just talking about physical beatings, but also insults and derogatory or disrespectful treatment.

The report reveals other special circumstances. It turns out that the hostility is higher among relatives of patients, and interestingly, doctors hardest hit are those aged between 46 and 55, supposedly a professional group with enough experience on their backs and skills to handle such situations.

Another striking fact: 57% of assaults occur in primary care, the more accessible and close to the patient, family doctor, the doctor's lifetime.

The most frequent reasons for such behavior are often belligerent disagreement with medical care, the refusal to prescribe a drug claimed by the patient or personal-type questions.

In emergencies, the attacks listed in the register of medical schools last year accounted for 8% of the total. There is a widespread misconception that this level of care, by the immediacy of the demand and the need for rapid action, the conflict should be higher. What is not as surprising is that public health takes the cake in this regard.

Recall that these long connections that no longer go unpunished. The attackers may even be sentenced to prison.

Years ago, a colleague showed me a claim made by one of his patients. Then I found incredible. One guy complained because the doctor had not wanted to prescribe medications for a private specialist. Before signing your application, added: "I do not miss the pressures doctors. You'd have to give. To see if ginger up. " I was reminded of a phrase from Isaac Asimov: "Violence is the last resort of the incompetent."