Patient-Physician Violence in The Hospitals of Pakistan: A Multi-Center Qualitative Study

Abstract

Violence against physicians has been considered a significant issue in Pakistan. Objective: This study was conducted to explore the need for specific policy-related responses to patient-physician violence in the hospitals of Pakistan. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in the hospitals of Pakistan, by using in-depth interviews. A total of 40 participants were selected out of which ten were in-depth interviews with patients, ten in-depth interviews with their families, ten in-depth interviews with physicians, and ten in-depth interviews with the administrative staff. In-depth interviews were recorded and then transcribed. The responses of the participants were coded with the help of thematic analysis. Results: The results of the study revealed that three main themes were derived through thematic analysis. The cause is multi-factorial. The employees of the health sector were asked to build revenue without taking care of patients' needs. In the east, no training is provided to physicians regarding how to prevent violence. Patient-physician violence leads to various disputes as a result of which verbal and physical abuse is observed towards physicians. Conclusion: The financial stress at hospitals to increase revenue has ruined the patient-physician relationship leading to violence. Certain policies should be developed for the security of physicians. The low literacy rate among patients is also one of the major contributing factors. Communicating strategies should be developed to prevent patient-physician violence.