Üsküdar Üniversitesi Occupational Health and Safety Program Head Lecturer Gamze Kağan was a guest on the program where “Violence in Healthcare” was discussed. Kağan made evaluations about resolving the violence healthcare professionals face. Kağan stated that empathy, which can be shown during conflict, could be effective in preventing violence.
“Healthcare is a sector affected by the environment”
Kağan, touching upon the challenges of the healthcare sector, said; “If we consider it environmentally, it is a sector easily affected. This is the biggest problem, conflict always exists. We predicted that violence against healthcare workers would decrease during the Covid period, but we continue to encounter such incidents.”
“The concept of violence prevails in healthcare institutions”
Kağan, stating that she obtained results by conducting research analysis, said; “There are different types of violence. The most common types of violence in this field are physical violence, psychological violence, and verbal violence. The concept of violence exists in healthcare institutions and has never ended. We had a physician who described a high prevalence of physical violence. Even during conflict, empathy should be shown; only then is it possible to prevent violence.” she expressed.
“There are main factors causing conflict”
Kağan, addressing the areas where conflict and violence are most frequently observed in the healthcare sector, stated; “One of these is emergency services. Among the most important reasons are the workload of healthcare staff, and the irrational behaviors exhibited by patients and their relatives in acute situations. Difficulties in understanding, insufficient information flow, and communication also play an important role among the factors that provoke and cause violence.”
“It is possible to resolve conflicts”
Lecturer Gamze Kağan, stating that she also included various conflict resolution methods in her research analysis, said; “Competition, collaboration, compromise, avoidance, and accommodation are styles of conflict resolution methods. If these methods are used, solutions become possible.” she stated.