Physiotherapists exposed to attack

PHYSIOTHERAPISTS must be educated to deal with violence as almost two-thirds have experienced aggression in the workplace, it was urged yesterday.

Professor Marie Guidon of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) School of Physiotherapy said employers should be schooling community physiotherapists on ways to spot potential danger signs at work.

Prof Guidon added: “There is a lack of standardisation in the training and education in terms of how to deal with violence.”

Research from the RCSI has revealed that almost two-thirds of all physiotherapists operating in communities throughout the country have been exposed to violence, with the aggressor most likely to be a relative or friend of the patient.

The study, which was highlighted as the first of its kind in Ireland at the RCSI research day in Dublin yesterday, found that 73% of those surveyed had direct experience of violent incidents. Of those who encountered violence, all had experienced verbal aggression, while 10 were also physically assaulted.

However, only 34% of those surveyed received training on how to deal with violence at work.

It was found that 64% of those who responded had encountered verbal aggression from relatives or friends, while half experienced it from a patient.

“It was just that the physiotherapist represented the health system and people were very frustrated. They were the easiest people to vent their frustration on,” Prof Guidon said.

The survey was conducted among the 103 members of the Chartered Physiotherapists in Community Care (CPCC).