Journal article
Do faculty and resident physicians discuss their medical errors?
Journal of medical ethics, Vol.34(10), pp.717-722
10/2008
DOI: 10.1136/jme.2007.023713
PMID: 18827101
Abstract
Background: Discussions about medical errors facilitate professional learning for physicians and may provide emotional support after an error, but little is known about physicians’ attitudes and practices regarding error discussions with colleagues. Methods: Survey of faculty and resident physicians in generalist specialties in Midwest, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions of the US to investigate attitudes and practices regarding error discussions, likelihood of discussing hypothetical errors, experience role-modelling error discussions and demographic variables. Results: Responses were received from 338 participants (response rate = 74%). In all, 73% of respondents indicated they usually discuss their mistakes with colleagues, 70% believed discussing mistakes strengthens professional relationships and 89% knew at least one colleague who would be a supportive listener. Motivations for error discussions included wanting to learn whether a colleague would have made the same decision (91%), wanting colleagues to learn from the mistake (80%) and wanting to receive support (79%). Given hypothetical scenarios, most respondents indicated they would likely discuss an error resulting in no harm (77%), minor harm (87%) or major harm (94%). Fifty-seven percent of physicians had tried to serve as a role model by discussing an error and role-modelling was more likely among those who had previously observed an error discussion (OR 4.17, CI 2.34 to 7.42). Conclusions: Most generalist physicians in teaching hospitals report that they usually discuss their errors with colleagues, and more than half have tried to role-model discussions. However, a significant number of these physicians report that they do not usually discuss their errors and some do not know colleagues who would be supportive listeners.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Do faculty and resident physicians discuss their medical errors?
- Creators
- L C Kaldjian - Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, lowa, USAV L Forman-Hoffman - Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, lowa, USAE W Jones - Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, lowa, USAB J Wu - Department of Internal Medicine, Hospital of St. Raphael, New Haven, Connecticut, USAB H Levi - Departments of Humanities and Pediatrics, Penn State College of Medicine and Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, Pennsylvania, USAG E Rosenthal - Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, lowa, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Journal of medical ethics, Vol.34(10), pp.717-722
- Publisher
- BMJ Publishing Group Ltd and Institute of Medical Ethics
- DOI
- 10.1136/jme.2007.023713
- PMID
- 18827101
- ISSN
- 0306-6800
- eISSN
- 1473-4257
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/2008
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; General Internal Medicine; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984094736502771
Metrics
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