Actual conditions of “problems” and results of national survey
In recent years, complaints and violence have become more serious in hospitals and home medical settings. It has become clear that many of the affected medical staff consider it their own responsibility and cannot consult with anyone.
Against the above background, we are conducting the first fact-finding survey in Japan: a fact-finding survey to strengthen the ability to respond to “problems” in interactions with patients and their families in pediatric medical settings.
In recent years, there have been reports of cases in which doctors were stabbed by patients in the doctor’s office of hospitals and required continuous treatment, leaving behind aftereffects (Miki, 2015). Burns caused by a nurse being pressed by a cigarette, regional pain syndrome caused by being bitten, cervical spinal cord contusion / orbital floor fracture caused by being beaten, multiple injuries caused by a knife, etc. Even in the home care scene, there are reports that the imposition of unreasonable challenges and complaints on medical professionals are becoming more serious (Take et al, 2008).
Many of the affected medical professionals are worried about the inappropriate behavior of patients and their families, but they take it as their own responsibility and endure it, and cannot consult with anyone. The actual situation is clear (Gerberich et al, 2000；Iwao et al, 2013).
At this time, there are no domestic survey reports in the field of pediatric medicine. However, in elementary schools, the number of violence cases has increased for four consecutive years, reaching a record high in 2015(Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Elementary and Secondary Education Bureau, Children and Students Division 2016). Also, Monster Parents are bothering teachers (Ogi 2008). In some cases, the teacher or principal’s home was called late at night to complain about the school for a long time, trying to pass unreasonable demands, or a guardian hit the teacher’s head and threatened money. Such cases have also been reported (Kosaka et al. 2011).
In overseas pediatric medical settings, it is known that there are many rants from children and their families, especially in pediatric emergencies where waiting time is long (McAneney & Shaw, 1994). One-third of pediatric residents are experiencing violence and abuse, 71% are not taught what to do, and 74% felt that dealing with angry children and their families should be included in the curriculum (Judy & Veselil, 2009).
Against the above background, in 2018, we conducted the first survey in Japan on the actual situation and response to abuse, violence, sexual harassment, and harassment from patients (children) and their families in the field of pediatric medicine. We received the cooperation of 3,605 staff members working at 521 medical facilities nationwide. We have summarized the results and will report them.
