Why violence is a health problem
Indeed, violence has become a big issue that both systems of health and criminal justice face (OSHA, 2015). Individuals have the right to complain when they feel that health care providers are mistreating them or when they are not satisfied with the health services provided. However, the right to complain should not be used as an opportunity to spark violence in health institutions. Some patients may take the advantage of being accorded the right to complain to assault and hurt health staff. This can be termed as violence and is not acceptable. On the other hand, the plights of patients need to be understood and should not just be perceived as conspiracies to cause violence. It is true that violence against the health workers is on a rise, but the main question that needs a solution is why is violence increasing? Another question is that what strategies can we use to respond effectively to the rise of violence against health workers? If health care is the only institution that is experiencing these challenges, then the health care providers are the main cause.
Educating the staff on how to deal with situations involving acts of violence through programs like the active shooter is not the only effective strategy for combating the issue. Tightening of security in EMS (Emergency Medical Service) and ED (Emergency Department) may not be an effective way of reducing the incidences of violence. Medical staff needs to be educated on how they can improve their strategies for handling different patients. Also, public should be made aware of the tolerable level of complaints since some criminals may pretend to be complaining about the lack of good medical attention while their intention is to disrupt the functioning of the health institutions.
Two major forensic issues facing criminal justice and health professionals today
Drug abuse and mental disorder have been identified as the main common challenges that face the professionals in the two fields. They have been claimed to place a serious burden to these professionals in the US (Weisman, Lamberti, & Price, 2004). The relationship between the professionals in the two areas is that they face a common issue. Health care professionals must handle individuals with mental challenges, who cause violence most of the times. Furthermore, drug abuse is highly associated with mental illness. Thus, some patients with metal disorders have abused drugs that contribute to their health condition. The professionals in the criminal justice will also deal with the victims of substance abuse because they are more likely to cause crime and violence.
A joint effort is needed to address this issue since the two institutions are unable to handle it effectively. The community and the government need to intervene in the issue. Additionally, new strategies need to be implemented for dealing with patients with mental illness and those that have abused drugs. Moving these individuals from health institutions to jail is not a long-term solution. Therefore, effective strategies for treating these individuals should be identified through intensive research and well funded to provide a long-term solution to this issue.
References
OSHA: Factsheet-workplace-violence. (2015). Retrieved June, 2016, from https://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/factsheet-workplace-violence.pdf
Weisman, R. L., Lamberti, J. S., & Price, N. (2004). Integrating criminal justice, community healthcare, and support services for adults with severe mental disorders. Psychiatric Quarterly, 75(1), 71-85.
