The Impact of Violence on Iraqi Junior Doctors

Abstract

1.1. Background: Iraqi doctors are leaving Iraq mainly because of violence. We set this study to dig for the consequences of violence on the Iraqi doctors via exploring their suffering and their plans to stay in or leave the country. 1.2. Methods: This study included 323 junior resident doctors from 20 teaching hospitals in Baghdad. The questionnaire focused on the doctors suffering, their exposure (or their families) to any form of violence, and their perspective about their future. 1.3. Findings: Fewer than two thirds (65%) said that they have been exposed to violent behavior while being in duty, or out of duty (37.2%), 18.6% reported a history of being arrested, kidnapped or injured, 42.1% had one of their family members (and 76.8% had one of their colleagues) being killed, kidnapped or injured during the last 10years, 79.6% are exposed to pressure at work, 89.5% stated that it is safer to leave Iraq, and 76.5% are thinking of leaving the country. Data analysis revealed that there is a statistically significant association between doctors’ exposure to different forms of violence (p=.002) or their families (p=.041) and their thinking of leaving Iraq. 1.4. Interpretation: Most of the junior doctors are not satisfied with their career, or with their living status that is of high risk and gloomy future. The continuous depletion of brains and expertise will seriously affect the staffing level (quantitatively and qualitatively) leading to more deterioration in the quality and availability of the (currently limping) health care services.