Lourdes_confession

Do Doctors Confess Errors Only When Caught?

October 10, 2008

     A study published on October 6, 2008 in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine suggests that doctors will more frequently tell patients about errors that are obvious or likely to be detected than they will tell them of less apparent errors.  A post by Jacob Goldstein in the Wall Street Journal\’s HealthBlog reviews the study and places its findings within the context of our evolving healthcare culture.

         

     Doctors traditionally have been less than forthcoming in telling patients about errors because they fear potential lawsuits, and have been told consistently by defense attorneys to say nothing that could be construed as “an admission of guilt.”  Forces are at work to change this.  These include:

– the “apology and disclosure movement” promoted by “Sorry Works”;

– the enactment by some states of legislation precluding the use of “confessions” or apologies in subsequent malpractice litigation;

– required disclosure of errors that cause harm to patients under Joint Commission accreditation standards; and,

– a variety of other governmental and industry mandates for “transparency.”

     Aside from these external forces, many doctors and the hospitals in which they practice have begun to realize that it is in their own best interest to adopt and implement a program under which:

– medical errors are identified and disclosed;

– with an explanation of the error;

– an assurance that it will not be repeated;

– a sincere apology; and,

– an offer of just compensation.

     These elements can be combined and put into practice using a variety of alternative dispute resolution techniques.  The July/August issue of the Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare e-Newsletter contains an excellent summary of five approaches now deployed around the country: the “Rush Model,” the VA Model,” the “University of Michigan Model,” the “Pew Mediation and ADR Model,” and the “Internal Neutral Mediator Model.”

     The authors of that article, Gary A. Balcerzak and Kathryn K. Leonhardt, conclude that “the success of existing ADR models is promising.  With the potential to promote disclosure, meet the needs of patients, reduce costs, and improve patient safety, ADR in Healthcare holds great promise for the future.”  I could not agree more.

[Image: People waiting for confession, Lourdes, France, by Jean-noel Lafargue, August 9, 2005]