The medical associations in North Rhine-Westphalia, together with the Leverkusen Clinic and experts from the Recklinghausen police, have developed a special de-escalation training for employees in the health sector as part of the state-wide prevention network “Safe on duty”. The program is aimed at employees in hospitals, practices and other facilities and trains them to deal with aggressive behavior in patient care. It complements the joint initiatives of the state government and partners against attacks on healthcare personnel.

Health Minister Karl-Josef Laumann expressed deep dismay at reports of violence against health workers. The ministry has passed a resolution with actors in the sector and launched a campaign to draw attention to the problem and signal solidarity. He welcomed the new training, which helps doctors, specialists, emergency services and nursing staff to identify risks at an early stage, react appropriately and protect themselves better.

Interior Minister Herbert Reul emphasized that employees in the police, administration and care facilities are similarly affected by violence. The training provides tools to prevent escalations and ensure safety. No one who stands up for others in service should be left alone. The goal is to enforce respect for helpers and not to accept attacks, but to work together to provide more protection.

Dr. Sven Dreyer, President of the North Rhine Medical Association, explained at the presentation of the trainer curriculum that violence should not be an acceptable part of everyday life in the health care system. Effective protection begins with problem analysis, includes training and prevention, and ends with the realization that perpetrators harm not only individuals, but the entire system and society.

Dr. Hans Albert Gehle, President of the Medical Association of Westphalia-Lippe, pointed to the decreasing inhibition threshold for aggression and the increasing burden on staff. Protection must be expanded, and crimes must be consistently reported and prosecuted. It is incomprehensible why outpatient and inpatient care has so far been exempt from special criminal protection. Nevertheless, the health care system itself must become active, as with this training.

According to a survey conducted by the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians in 2024 with around 7,600 participants, 85 percent reported an increase in insults, insults or threats from patients in the last five years. A survey by the German Hospital Association yielded comparable results: 73 percent of hospitals reported increasing assaults.

The concept builds on a training course for the public service introduced in 2023. The first training for the health sector took place at the beginning of October at the “ä25” congress in Bonn. The medical associations train trainers through their academies to enable broad training. Interested institutions can find out more and register via the websites of the Academies of North Rhine and Westphalia-Lippe.

Editor: X-Press Journalistenbüro GbR

Gender Notice. The personal designations used in this text always refer equally to female, male and diverse persons. Double/triple naming and gendered designations are used for better readability. ected.