To the Editors,
I read with interest the article on disclosure of mistakes1,2 while on duty in my emergency department in the Sierra foothills.
I agree that mistakes should be disclosed, but disclosure is less awkward if more information is given before procedures and the foreseeable complications and risks have been explained. To then have an “unfortunate but foreseeable” complication occur seems less troubling to patients. That their physician made every effort to appropriately manage their case and to explain possible consequences may only instill greater trust.
Complications of procedures occur in the best of hands, some due to errors, some to bad luck, and some to unique patient factors. Patients will have more realistic expectations if the realities of practice got more air time than the fantasies portrayed on “ER.”
References
- 1.Hingorani M, Wong T, Vafidis G. Attitudes after unintended injury during treatment: a survey of doctors and patients. West J Med 1999;171:81-82. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- 2.Greely HT. Do physicians have a duty to disclose mistakes? [commentary] West J Med 1999;171:82-83. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]