1. World problems
  2. Occupational risks and hazards of the medical profession

Occupational risks and hazards of the medical profession

  • Health risks to works in the health professions
  • Hazards for health care personnel
  • Vulnerability of health carers

Nature

The risks of occupational accidents among medical professionals are very numerous and the circumstances vary according to the speciality. They include road accidents in the case of general practitioners, burns suffered by operating room personnel as a result of explosions in operating theatres, septic cuts and scratches for biologists and anatomo-pathologists, the danger of septic liquid or vaccines entering the eyes of general practitioners, surgeons, pediatricians, etc. and their assistants, syphilis and AIDS infections among gynecologists and obstetricians, accidental internal and external irradiation and contamination among radiologists, dentists, dental technicians and physicians working in research laboratories, blows and wounds inflicted on psychiatrists and psychologists by delirious or violent patients, or bites and scratches from test animals. Occupational diseases can be classed under four main headings: infections and contaminations, disorders due to radiation, occupational dermatitis, and psychological disturbances.

Incidence

The possibility of contagion is considerable owing to contacts with patients and the need to handle septic objects. The incidence of virus hepatitis among physicians is between 15 and 40 times greater than in the whole of the population. Doctors working in hospitals and clinics and those in laboratories are the more exposed than those in private practice.

The rates of alcoholism and drug abuse, mental illness and suicide among health care workers, especially physicians, are elevated significantly beyond that of the general population. An estimated 40 percent of psychiatric therapists are actually attacked by their clients. Mental health professionals daily listen to a succession of serious problems and grim world views. They kill themselves at an unusually high rate: almost twice that of physicians. Occupational stress is considered as high as for air traffic controllers.

Claim

The occupational risks and hazards faced by medical professionals are a critical issue that demands urgent attention. From exposure to infectious diseases to the physical and emotional toll of long hours and high-stress environments, healthcare workers are often placed in perilous situations. Ignoring these risks not only jeopardizes their well-being but also compromises patient care. It is imperative that we prioritize the safety and health of those who dedicate their lives to saving others.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Counter-claim

While some may argue that occupational risks and hazards in the medical profession are significant, I contend that they are overstated. Medical professionals are highly trained to manage risks, and the benefits of their work far outweigh any potential dangers. The focus should be on patient care and advancements in medicine, rather than dwelling on perceived hazards. In a field dedicated to saving lives, the emphasis on risks distracts from the vital contributions healthcare workers make every day.This information has been generated by artificial intelligence.

Broader

Narrower

Sepsis
Excellent
Dermatitis
Excellent

Aggravates

Aggravated by

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Value

Vulnerability
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Risk
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Invulnerability
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Health
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Hazard
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Care
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SDG

Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-beingSustainable Development Goal #10: Reduced Inequality

Metadata

Database
World problems
Type
(D) Detailed problems
Biological classification
N/A
Subject
  • Health care » Care
  • Health care » Health
  • Medicine » Medicine
  • Social activity » Occupation
  • Social activity » Personnel
  • Social activity » Professions
  • Societal problems » Hazards
  • Societal problems » Vulnerability
  • Content quality
    Presentable
     Presentable
    Language
    English
    1A4N
    E5355
    DOCID
    11553550
    D7NID
    132507
    Last update
    Oct 4, 2020