Strengthening Legal Protection for Healthcare Workers in High-Risk Medical Environments

Hargianti Dini Iswandari; Rinayati Rinayati; Indra Yuliawan

doi:10.59890/ijla.v4i3.262

Authors

Hargianti Dini Iswandari Universitas Bgudi Waluyo Ungaran
Rinayati Rinayati Universitas Widya Husada Semarang
Indra Yuliawan Universitas Ngudi Waluyo

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijla.v4i3.262

Keywords:

Legal Protection, Healthcare Workers, High-Risk Environments, Health Law, Policy Implementation

Abstract

The increasing complexity of healthcare systems and the escalation of occupational risks in medical environments have intensified concerns regarding legal protection for healthcare workers. The high occupational risks faced by healthcare workers in hazardous medical environments necessitate stronger and more adaptive legal protection. This study aims to analyze the relationship between regulatory frameworks, policy implementation, and the level of legal protection for healthcare workers. Analyzed using descriptive qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings reveal a significant gap between legal norms and practical implementation, particularly in safety standards and protection mechanisms. It concludes that regulatory harmonization and strengthened policy enforcement are essential to enhance effective and sustainable legal protection.

References

Beck, U. (2021). The risk society: Towards a new modernity (2nd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Berger, S., Grzonka, P., Frei, A. I., Hunziker, S., Baumann, S. M., Amacher, S. A., & Gebhard, C. E. (2024). Violence against healthcare professionals in intensive care units: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Critical Care, 28, 61.

Budiono, D. P., Nugrahadi, N., Inayah, I., Zufra, Z., & Ekawati, R. (2026). Aspects of legal protection of health workers regarding occupational safety and health (K3) in hospitals. Journal of Public Health Science Research, 6(2). https://doi.org/10.30587/jphsr.v6i2.11304.

Chua, L. J., & Engel, D. M. (2022). Legal consciousness reconsidered. Annual Review of Law and Social Science, 18, 335–354. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-lawsocsci-050520-025943.

Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2021). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE Publications.

Ginting, M. L. B. (2023). Human rights-based legal protection for health workers in conflict zones. Jurnal Administrasi Kesehatan Indonesia, 11(2), 333–343. https://doi.org/10.20473/jaki.v11i2.2023.333-343.

Ginting, M. L. B. (2023). Human rights-based legal protection for health workers in conflict zones. Jurnal Administrasi Kesehatan Indonesia, 11(2), 333–343.

Hair, J. F., Hult, G. T. M., Ringle, C. M., Sarstedt, M., Danks, N. P., & Ray, S. (2021). Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) using R: A workbook. Springer.

Haryanto, G., Ambarwati, E., & Lany, A. (2025). Legal protection for medical personnel in BPJS affiliated hospitals based on Law Number 17 of 2023. Research Horizon, 5(4), 1513–1522. https://doi.org/10.54518/rh.5.4.2025.705.

Kiettikunwong, N., & Deeod, P. (2026). A legal framework for reducing violence in healthcare institutions: A comparative study and policy recommendations. Asian Bioethics Review. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41649-025-00400-1.

Kuhlmann, E., Falkenbach, M., Lotta, G., Tenbensel, T., & Dopfer-Jablonka, A. (2023). Violence against healthcare workers in the middle of a global health crisis: What is it about policy and what to learn from international comparison? Frontiers in Public Health, 11, 1182328.

Nowell, L. S., Norris, J. M., White, D. E., & Moules, N. J. (2021). Thematic analysis: Striving to meet the trustworthiness criteria. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 20.

Önal, Ö., Evcil, F. Y., Batmaz, K., Çoban, B., & Doğan, E. (2023). Systematic review and meta-analysis of verbal and physical violence against healthcare workers in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal.

Rosnida, R., Akbar, M. A., Ari, M. A., Irabiah, I., Haerani, Y., & Sari, P. (2025). Legal protection of health workers in emergency medical procedures: An analysis of legal certainty in Indonesia and Thailand. Jurnal Ius Constituendum, 11(1), 87–105. https://doi.org/10.26623/jic.v11i1.12818.

Scott, W. R. (2021). Institutions and organizations: Ideas, interests, and identities (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.

Tamanaha, B. Z. (2021). A realist theory of law (Updated ed.). Cambridge University Press.

Tamon, O., Setiawan, E. W., & Sapsudin, A. (2025). Legal protection for doctors under Law Number 17 of 2023 concerning health. Research Horizon, 5(4), 1281–1292. https://doi.org/10.54518/rh.5.4.2025.720.

Tanjung, A. (2025). Legal protection of health workers from a criminal law perspective during the health crisis in Indonesia. Jurnal Ilmiah Dunia Hukum, 10(1), 80–102. https://doi.org/10.56444/jidh.v0i0.6080.

Tenbensel, T., Dopfer-Jablonka, A., & Kuhlmann, E. (2023). Violence against healthcare workers: A health system approach and international comparative study. European Journal of Public Health.

Volonnino, G., Spadazzi, F., De Paola, L., Arcangeli, M., Pascale, N., Frati, P., & La Russa, R. (2024). Healthcare workers: Heroes or victims? Context of the Western world and proposals to prevent violence. Healthcare, 12(7), 708.

Widjaja, G., & Sijabat, H. H. (2025). Legal protection for medical personnel in Indonesia: Analysis of the 2023 Health Law and its implementation. International Journal of Humanities, Social Sciences and Business.

Workplace violence against healthcare workers: A scoping review of reporting practices, barriers to reporting and institutional responses (2020–2025). (2026). BMC Health Services Research.

World Health Organization. (2024). New study measuring laws protecting health and care workers highlights innovations and gaps.