Avoiding medical error discussion can cause problems

October 25, 2007

It's no surprise that medical errors upset physicians. But the way they

typically handle it--by descending into fear and guilt, and often, avoidance of

the patient--tends to make things worse, according to an article in the New

England Journal of Medicine. While it's natural to feel uncomfortable, doctors

who get past that to admit to medical mistakes and explain how they'll prevent

future errors are less likely to be sued, and often maintain their relationship

with the patient, said Dr. Tom DelBanco, one of the article's authors.

However, the authors admit that the legal picture regarding such communications

is still cloudy. While about 30 states have enacted " I'm sorry " laws shielding

doctors' expressions of sympathy from being used in med mal suits, these laws

still don't protect doctors against suits based on admissions of error. Add that

to the fact that physicians don't feel they know how to communicate on this

subject, and the profession still faces a serious dilemma here, the authors

said.

To get more from this article:

- read this HealthDay piece

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