The directors of health institutions say they have received reports in the last five years about 77 assaults against doctors, and 50 incidents happened inside those institutions, while 27 attacks were perpetrated outside, according to the findings of a poll conducted among 1,634 doctors, members of the HLK who work in 100 health-care institutions.
As many as 83 doctors say they have been exposed to verbal outbursts, and 17% of the respondents have been targets of physical assault.
In three of four cases, the violent behaviour came from patients or their family members, according to the HLK survey carried out from September to November this year.
As many as 62% of those who have experienced violence at work say they feel fear on an occasional or permanent basis, and 4% of those who have been abused have been forced to go on a sick leave.
HLK head Trpimir Goluza says the chamber has made it possible for its members to report violence in a simple manner around the clock.
Condemning any form of the violence, the Chamber also warns that security systems in health-care institutions are not adequate.