Violence during the pandemic: Were healthcare workers truly applauded?

This study aims to understand the dynamics of violence against healthcare workers during extraordinary situations, compare them with normal conditions, and provide applicable recommendations. The research examined white code incidents reported between March 11, 2018, and March 10, 2022, in the emergency department (ED) of a city hospital in Istanbul. The date of the white code, the shift, the healthcare worker's gender, age, and role, the incident area, the reason and type of violence, and the perpetrator's gender and age were recorded. Data were analyzed as pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. There were 129 white code reports before the pandemic and 109 during the pandemic. Doctors were the most targeted group, with most white codes reported during daytime shifts and as verbal violence. Most incidents occurred in the yellow and green zones. Our research provides significant insights into the impact of COVID-19 on violence against healthcare workers. Although there was a general decrease during the pandemic, the concentration of incidents in green zones highlights the importance of managing patient expectations in healthcare planning. This single-center study highlights that symbolic gestures like applause cannot replace structural reforms to protect healthcare workers.