CEOM Actions

European Council of Medical Orders

The European Observatory on Violence Against Doctors

Objectives of the Observatory

On June 23rd 2017, the European Observatory on Violence Against Doctors was created on the initiative of CEOM President Dr. José Santos.

The European Observatory on Violence Against Doctors aims to:

Gather objective data about the cases of violence (location, type of practice, type of violence, aggressor profile, etc.) in order to arrive at a correct evaluation of needs, followed by effective proposals for action
Map of existing national mechanisms to adress these violence cases
Give priority to an exchange of preventive tools, thereby opening the way to a sharing of experiences
Take concrete measures with the adoption of an official position aimed at health professionals, the public and the authorities

Work Method

► A Working Group, animated by Dr. Roland Kerzmann as Rapporteur, with representatives from the European Association of Senior Hospital Doctors (AEMH).

External Communication

CEOM Secretary-General, Dr. Jean-François RAULT, published a presentation article on the Observatory on Violence Against Doctors in the 46th Edition of the Healthcare Professionals Crossing Borders (HPCB) Update (Winter 2019).

March 12, European Awareness Day on Violence against Doctors and other Health Professionals

On March 12, 2020, we marked the 1st ever European Awareness Day on Violence against Doctors and other Health Professionals. Health workers are increasingly confronted with situations of violence, sometimes extreme, in their daily practice, even outside any context of conflict. This affects us all. Patient safety and quality of care are endangered if health professionals are confronted with such risks.

The European Medical Organisations called on governments and all stakeholders to act on the urgent need to protect medical personnel in the performance of their missions. As a priority, the enforcement of existing laws to fight violence against doctors and health professionals in the workplace must be improved. In support of this, we asked for the establishment of national reporting mechanisms all across Europe. We furthermore called for the effective implementation of violence prevention programmes and assistance to victims. We asked for determined action to ensure access to quality care for all patients by protecting the freedom and safety of medical personnel and healthcare facilities.

Download the EMOs Joint Statement on Violence against Doctors and other Health Professionals

Interntional framewrok to fight violence against doctors and other health professionals

The World Medical Association's Statement on Violence and Health has been recently revised by the 70th WMA General Assembly in Tbilisi (Georgia), in October 2019

The World Medical Association's issued a Presse Release on the 28th of October 2019 regarding violence against doctors and Health Professionals, following a rising tide of violence reported from Central and South America, from India and Bangladesh, and from Germany. "Violence has become a significant public health challenge", said WMA President Dr. Miguel Jorge.