Two nationally representative sociological surveys conducted by the "Trend" agency commissioned by the Bulgarian Medical Association (BMA), show alarming data on the scale of violence against medical professionals in our country.
20% of respondents have observed cases of verbal aggression, and 7% - even physical assault.
Over 2,000 doctors, or about 7% of the profession, have been victims of violence at work.
According to 41% of those surveyed, they believe that in some cases the doctors themselves are to blame for the aggression shown towards them.
A survey among doctors themselves shows that 56% have experienced verbal aggression at work.
"The problem is very serious – commented Dr. Nikolay Brunzalov, Chairman of the BMA, to BNR-Radio Sofia. – Unfortunately, in the last year the number of cases of aggression in this sector has indeed been very high. In the first quarter alone, the prosecutor's office has opened eight proceedings for causing bodily harm to medical personnel.
The trend is clear, so let every Bulgarian citizen think about whether it is right to show aggression, not only against doctors, but also against our associates who work for health. After the physician himself, to whom aggression was shown, the next patient who will enter his office for medical service is the one who suffers the most."
The Bulgarian Medical Association has decided to also contact the Ministry of Education to have discussions on the topic during class.
"The question is not how many aggressive patients have been convicted. It is important for us that such acts against my colleagues and our associates are not allowed at their workplace."
There is a law, Dr. Brunzalov also reminded. The manifestation of aggression against a doctor at work is equated with aggression against police officers at work. But apparently these measures do not work.
"Aggression from patients towards doctors is not so personal. It is against the system. People are dissatisfied with the Bulgarian healthcare system.
The Bulgarian patient expects to be immediately seen by a doctor, to have his health problem resolved immediately, for the service to be completely free and to have a good effect. The best access to medical care in the European Union is in Bulgaria."
When asked about the user fee, Dr. Brunzalov specified that at this stage there have been no talks with the institutions about a possible increase in its amount, which is still 2.90 leva.