Verbal Abuse and Swearing Account for 65%
"Need for Measures Such as Reality Surveys"
Over the past three years, cases of violence or verbal abuse against medical personnel such as doctors and nurses in emergency rooms have increased by 21%.
According to data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to Kim Mi-ae, a member of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee from the People Power Party, cases of emergency medical workers suffering violence related to medical treatment in emergency rooms were recorded as ▲585 cases in 2021 ▲602 cases in 2022 ▲707 cases in 2023. This shows a continuous increase over the past three years. This year alone, there were 360 cases in the first half from January to June.
Analyzing the 707 cases of violence against medical personnel in emergency rooms last year, there were ▲verbal abuse and insults 457 cases (65%) ▲physical assault 220 cases ▲threats 51 cases ▲property damage 34 cases ▲abuse of authority or power 17 cases. Among the 360 cases in the first half of this year, verbal abuse and insults accounted for more than half with 243 cases. This was followed by ▲physical assault 82 cases ▲threats 21 cases ▲property damage 9 cases ▲abuse of authority or power 6 cases.
Assemblywoman Kim said, "Although current laws strictly punish those who assault or threaten medical personnel performing medical acts, the situation has not improved." She emphasized, "It is necessary to establish comprehensive measures, including regularly conducting surveys on the safety of the medical environment."
According to Article 12 of the Emergency Medical Service Act, no one shall obstruct emergency medical workers’ treatment by violence, threats, deception, or intimidation, nor shall they destroy, damage, or occupy facilities or equipment for emergency medical services at medical institutions. Currently, Article 6 of the same law stipulates that emergency medical workers cannot refuse treatment without justifiable reasons when requested to provide emergency medical care. However, the government has allowed, through related guidelines, that if violence or threats against medical personnel occur or are likely to occur, treatment may be refused or avoided. Despite these regulations and guidelines, verbal abuse and physical assault against medical staff in emergency rooms have not disappeared.
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