Rate of Exposure to Violence in 112 Staff in Denizli City

Abstract

Aim: In the last decade, news regarding violence of the 112 emergency service staff that is frequently revealed in visual and written media in our country has increased. In this study, we investigated the characteristics that led to the incidence of violence against the 112 emergency service staff, the extent to which these events have been reported by staff, and the work satisfaction of staff. Materials and Methods: Data regarding face-to-face interviews with all staff on duty across the city were obtained. Staff who suffered verbal and physical violence in the last year and during their work period were examnined. Staff who did not wish to participate in the study, who served in the 112 emergency service for less than one year, and who were on an annual leave or leave without pay during the study were excluded. Results: One hundred and forty-one eligible staff participated in this study. Of the total participants, 73\% (n= 103) were emergency medical technicians and paramedics. The average work period in the 112 emergency medical services was 4.9 +/- 2.8 (min: 1, max: 23) years. The staff's exposure to verbal and physical violence over the last year was 51.8\% (n = 73) and 8.5\% (n = 12), respectively. Rates increased by 77.3\% (n = 109) and 24.8\% (n = 35), respectively, when investigation was conducted in the absence of time limitation. Of the total participants, 85.1\% (n = 120) were found to not formally report the attacks. A large percentage (95.2\%) of reported incidents involved physical violence. Finally, the participants levels of work satisfaction in the 112 emergency service was high (90.8\%, n = 128). Conclusion: Violence against the 112 emergency service staff is greater than estimated because there were not sufficiently reported. Trainings must be organized for staff working in prehospital medical care regarding how to protect and cope from violence.