European journal of emergency medicine : official journal of the European Society for Emergency Medicine
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There is abundant evidence to suggest that doctors are increasingly being exposed to violent incidents at their workplace. The possible effects of aggression on an individual are varied and likely to depend on the severity and frequency of episodes and the perceived vulnerability to further episodes. The reported sequaelae of violent incidents towards doctors include varied psychological disturbances, and changes in behaviour, such as increasing prescribing, ongoing fear of violence at work, and poor staff morale. ⋯ The effects lasted for more than 4 weeks in 25, for 3-4 weeks in 17, and for 2-3 weeks in 21. The duration of symptoms was longer in doctors exposed to verbal insults or threats of imminent violence coupled with incidents involving single acts of violence. Out of a total of 101 doctors; 90 (89%) remained worried about violence at work and 72 (71%) thought training to deal with potentially violent situations would be useful.
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A retrospective analysis of 118 prehospital missions involving vitally important therapy (anaesthesia or resuscitation with admission) was carried out. Primary mobilization of the emergency physician (EP) (i.e. before arrival of the rescue ambulance) was carried out by the alarm dispatch centre in only 36% of these missions. ⋯ The observations suggest that an improved assessment of possible involvement of an EP is necessary, both at the alarm central and the emergency site. Moreover, continued monitoring (quality control) of this delay is necessary.