There is another important contributor to violence in healthcare settings. MAGA Republicans have done everything they could during the pandemic to sow distrust in government mandates to wear masks and for healthcare workers and others to be vaccinated. Right wing social media platforms also promoted and even encouraged the dissemination of disinformation as clickbait and to indoctrinate people against trusting medical experts and the so-called “deep state” that is comprised of people with expertise who enforce public safety regulations.
So, for political gain, far too many people receive ongoing messaging to distrust the expertise of healthcare workers, even including physicians. And for those who struggle from paycheck to paycheck, too many consider physicians to be a blameworthy, moneyed elite instead of separating out bad actors and looking at the high cost of a profit-making healthcare “industry.“
I recently had a visit to the emergency department and I’m now OK. I was struck by a sign in treatment rooms warning. patients about a zero tolerance policy for violence and abuse. I asked the nurse about what it is like to work under these conditions. She said that she had not signed up for this but loves doing what she is good at doing.
This is a situation that we see too often. A system corrupted by those seeking political power, or to make unseemly profits from the suffering of others, have increasingly made healthcare settings places where it is harder for dedicated workers to do what they love, and for patients to receive life-saving services.
Thanks Gary. I appreciate your thoughtful insight in this deplorable situation. If they're not humans, but untrustworthy, moneyed elites, violence is not far behind. This source did not occur to me and I appreciate it.
Alan,
There is another important contributor to violence in healthcare settings. MAGA Republicans have done everything they could during the pandemic to sow distrust in government mandates to wear masks and for healthcare workers and others to be vaccinated. Right wing social media platforms also promoted and even encouraged the dissemination of disinformation as clickbait and to indoctrinate people against trusting medical experts and the so-called “deep state” that is comprised of people with expertise who enforce public safety regulations.
So, for political gain, far too many people receive ongoing messaging to distrust the expertise of healthcare workers, even including physicians. And for those who struggle from paycheck to paycheck, too many consider physicians to be a blameworthy, moneyed elite instead of separating out bad actors and looking at the high cost of a profit-making healthcare “industry.“
I recently had a visit to the emergency department and I’m now OK. I was struck by a sign in treatment rooms warning. patients about a zero tolerance policy for violence and abuse. I asked the nurse about what it is like to work under these conditions. She said that she had not signed up for this but loves doing what she is good at doing.
This is a situation that we see too often. A system corrupted by those seeking political power, or to make unseemly profits from the suffering of others, have increasingly made healthcare settings places where it is harder for dedicated workers to do what they love, and for patients to receive life-saving services.
It is very similar to the way many teachers feel. Those who promote violence will likely have to deal with violence.
Thanks Gary. I appreciate your thoughtful insight in this deplorable situation. If they're not humans, but untrustworthy, moneyed elites, violence is not far behind. This source did not occur to me and I appreciate it.