By Patsy Newitt

Many physicians say medical workplaces remain inadequately protected against physical attacks and theft, particularly in medical practice offices, according to the “Physical Security in Medical Workplaces Report,” published Jan. 23.

The report is based on a survey of 1,363 physicians conducted between July 2 and Nov. 19 and examines how secure different healthcare settings feel, as well as how physicians’ views on physical security have shifted over the past three years.

Here’s a breakdown of how well medical workplaces protect against physical attacks:

Medical practice offices:

- Not at all protected: 16%

- Slightly protected: 27%

- Moderately protected: 26%

- Reasonably protected: 25%

- Very protected: 6%

Hospitals, healthcare organizations and outpatient clinics:

- Not at all protected: 9%

- Slightly protected: 31%

- Moderately protected: 27%

- Reasonably protected: 31%

- Very protected: 2%

Academic (nonhospital) research, military and government settings

- Not at all protected: 2%

- Slightly protected: 20%

- Moderately protected: 32%

- Reasonably protected: 35%

- Very protected: 11%

Here’s a breakdown of how well medical workplaces protect against thefts:

Medical practice offices:

- Not at all protected: 8%

- Slightly protected: 28%

- Moderately protected: 27%

- Reasonably protected: 31%

- Very protected: 7%

Hospitals, healthcare organizations and outpatient clinics:

- Not at all protected: 9%

- Slightly protected: 34%

- Moderately protected: 31%

- Reasonably protected: 23%

- Very protected: 4%

Academic (non-hospital) research, military and government settings

- Not at all protected: 3%

- Slightly protected: 26%

- Moderately protected: 24%

- Reasonably protected: 37%

- Very protected: 11%

Here’s a breakdown of physical security compared to three years ago:

Medical practice offices:

- 1 (Much less important): 1%

- 2: 1%

- 3: 37%

- 4: 35%

- 5 (Much more important): 26%

Hospitals, healthcare organizations and outpatient clinics:

- 1 (Much less important): Less than 1%

- 2: 1%

- 3: 30%

- 4: 38%

- 5 (Much more important): 30%

Academic (nonhospital) research, military and government settings

- 1 (Much less important): 0%

- 2: 4%

- 3: 22%

- 4: 45%

- 5 (Much more important): 29%