Factors Influencing the Care of Sick Prisoners by Healthcare Staff in Emergency Departments: The Case of the Emergency Reception Department at Ibn Rochd Hospital, Casablanca

Maria Mazouri; Imane Tahiri; Sanaa Deblij; Bouchaib Bahlaouan

doi:10.63095/NBSEH.26.885427

Authors

Maria Mazouri Laboratory of Healthcare and Sustainable developement, 2S2D, Higher Institutes of the Nursing Professions and Techniques of Health ISPITS Casablanca (https://ror.org/01wcdkp35), Casablanca, Morocco
Imane Tahiri Laboratory of Healthcare and Sustainable developement, 2S2D, Higher Institutes of the Nursing Professions and Techniques of Health ISPITS Casablanca (https://ror.org/01wcdkp35), Casablanca, Morocco
Sanaa Deblij Laboratory of Healthcare and Sustainable developement, 2S2D, Higher Institutes of the Nursing Professions and Techniques of Health ISPITS Casablanca (https://ror.org/01wcdkp35), Casablanca, Morocco
Bouchaib Bahlaouan Laboratory of Healthcare and Sustainable developement, 2S2D, Higher Institutes of the Nursing Professions and Techniques of Health ISPITS Casablanca (https://ror.org/01wcdkp35), Casablanca, Morocco

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63095/NBSEH.26.885427

Keywords:

Ill prisoner, Professional secrecy, Right to health

Abstract

This study aimed to describe the factors influencing the management of prisoners by healthcare staff in the Emergency Reception Department (ERD) at Ibn Rochd Hospital in Casablanca, Morocco. A Level 1 quantitative descriptive study was conducted among medical and nursing staff (n = 50) using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Thirty questionnaires were returned (response rate: 60%). The results showed that 86.66% of the staff were unaware of the regulations governing prisoner management, 73% changed their attitude towards prisoners, and 67% provided care in the presence of accompanying personnel, compromising professional secrecy and patient confidentiality. Overcrowding, stress, and workload were identified as the main influencing factors. These findings highlight the need to strengthen staff training, improve collaboration between prison and hospital teams, establish specialized secure units, and reduce prison overcrowding to ensure equivalent healthcare for prisoners.

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