The factors helping or hindering disclosure of medical errors are examined in a new study

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

University of Iowa experts look at why it can be difficult for doctors to disclose medical errors.
Medical errors occur for a number of reasons and they may or may not be disclosed by the physician concerned. University of Iowa researchers have been looking at the various factors influencing medical errors. They have analyzed 300 papers on the subject which showed as many as 91 different factors contributing to whether a physician discloses a medical error or not, with another 27 identified through focus group research.

One thing was clear - doctors get a terrible 'sinking feeling' when they realize they have harmed a patient. It is emotionally traumatic to them. This means that some may avoid reporting a medical error because of their discomfort. Others experienced a lack of feedback from the system which added to their unease. Also, being honest about a medical error will not necessarily earn the doctor any points, especially in a culture of competitiveness with colleagues.

Those who do report mistakes are motivated by a desire to be straightforward with their patients. There is also a duty to the hospital and to colleagues, who can learn from medical errors. Sometimes the fault is not that of the physician, but of a system which may make medical errors more likely. The researchers say that a new approach to medical error disclosure is needed, focusing on what the doctor, patient and hospital can gain from being more open.

Source
University of Iowa 3rd August 2006