Had experienced workplace violence
477 of 617 respondents in an India-wide online survey conducted November 2019–April 2020. This measures experience at any time, not one year.
Kaur and colleagues · PLOS ONE, 2020 ↗India · Evidence and incident history
Facts on assaults
against doctors.
Violence affects the safety and wellbeing of healthcare workers and the care available to patients. Understand what the research actually measured.
Sources checked 9 September 2026.
Reported violence in the past year
69 of 169 respondents at one Delhi tertiary hospital. The study appeared in the November–December 2016 National Medical Journal of India.
Anand and colleagues · 2016 ↗Reported the event to authorities
Among doctors exposed to violence in that Delhi study. The finding highlights under-reporting in this sample.
Read the original study abstract ↗Read the numbers in context
The 2020 survey recruited doctors through online networks; the Delhi study covered one institution. Self-report, participation and recall can affect results. Workplace violence includes verbal abuse and threats as well as physical attacks. Neither study establishes that its percentage applies to every doctor in India today.
The often-cited figure of “over 75%” came from press reporting of preliminary IMA findings in 2015. It should be dated and attributed, rather than presented as a fresh national count. Original 2015 report ↗
The Ministry of Health stated in March 2022 that it did not maintain a central count of attacks on doctors. This page therefore does not rank states by a current violence rate. Ministry’s parliamentary response ↗
Who is affected, and where?
The Delhi respondents identified emergency services as the most common location and verbal abuse as the most common form. They described anger, frustration and irritability after violence. Delhi study ↗
In the 2020 online study, relatives or family members were identified as perpetrators in 82.2% of reported cases. That study also found adverse effects on doctors’ wellbeing and treatment decisions. This is a finding within its sample, not a description of every patient’s family. Original research ↗
Risk factors are reasons to improve systems
Research and government guidance point to pressures around emergency care, workload, communication, expectations, infrastructure and hospital security. These can help identify prevention measures; they do not excuse violence or establish blame in an individual case.
Safer workplaces
Plan staffing, trained security, access controls, working communication equipment and supervised response exercises.
Better understanding
Explain uncertainty, waiting times, treatment choices and financial cover. Give families a named contact for updates and questions.
Fair reporting and support
Make incident reporting accessible, preserve evidence, support affected staff and provide a separate, fair route for treatment complaints.
Incidents that strengthened calls for protection
10 May 2023 · Kerala
Dr Vandana Das killed while on hospital duty
The killing at Kottarakkara prompted protests and renewed demands for protection. Kerala’s cabinet subsequently approved an ordinance to strengthen protection for healthcare personnel. This is a historical account; it does not describe the current stage of criminal proceedings.
IMA’s record of the incident ↗ · 17 May 2023 ordinance reporting ↗
9 August 2024 · Kolkata
RG Kar trainee doctor’s death and nationwide concern
The rape and murder case involving a postgraduate trainee at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital led to nationwide protests over safety. On 20 August 2024, the Supreme Court took up the wider protection of medical professionals and constituted a National Task Force. The victim’s identity and graphic details are omitted to preserve her dignity.
Supreme Court · 20 August 2024 order ↗A purpose of this project
Build respect.
Restore trust.
Promote civic responsibility, responsible media reporting and a better public understanding of healthcare, so doctors can work safely and patients can seek care with confidence.
Responsibility in public life
Respect healthcare workers, follow reasonable safety rules and use lawful complaint channels. Anger, grief or a disputed bill never justifies threats, assault or damage to a hospital.
Fair and accurate reporting
Challenge misleading portrayals and unverified accusations about doctors. Encourage journalists and social-media creators to verify facts, seek responses, distinguish allegations from findings and protect patient privacy.
Clear expectations about care
Explain treatment choices, uncertainty, costs and scheme benefits in plain language. Support informed questions and fair complaint review, alongside dignity and safety for the people providing care.
Turn evidence into action
For an immediate threat, contact emergency services on 112. The past-incident form does not dispatch an emergency response.
Source documents, photographs and publisher websites remain in their original language. Directory names and addresses are retained as published.