Body cameras and panic alarms for doctors could help deter violence and harassment

Abstract

Body cameras and panic alarms in healthcare settings could act as deterrents and reactive solutions to abusive incidents, writes Caroline Kamau-Mitchell Doctors and healthcare staff need better protection from violence and harassment—many have lost their lives or been injured around the world. For example, in 2022, a patient murdered a doctor in Italy with an axe.1 In 2024, doctors and nurses in Italy barricaded themselves in a room after a mob of about 50 people connected with a patient attacked them.1 In August 2024, a female doctor in India was raped and murdered in hospital, and thousands of doctors went on strike in protest.2 These are only a few examples of the widespread violence that healthcare staff face globally. Body cameras and panic alarms could deter potential offenders34 and provide valuable evidence in cases of abuse.5 Global meta-analyses report that 15% of doctors have experienced physical violence from patients or visitors,6 and 45% have experienced sexual harassment.7 An investigation by The BMJ and the Guardian revealed that, in a five year period, there were over 20 000 cases of healthcare staff being abused by …