Disclosure of errors preferred by patients
The Journal of Family Practice. 2004 July;53(7):522-530
July 1, 2004|The Journal of Family Practice
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- CLINICAL QUESTION: How do patients report they will respond when doctors disclose errors?
- STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional
- SETTING: Population-based
- SYNOPSIS: This study used a self-administered questionnaire to gauge patients’ responses to several types of errors and their disclosure by physicians. The questionnaires were sent to a sample of 1500 patients of a New England–based health maintenance organization (the response rate was 66%, which is high for this type of study, but less than the 70% often cited as being satisfactory). Eight versions of the questionnaire were used, which varied by type of error, clinical outcome of the error, and level of physician disclosure.
BOTTOM LINE
Given a hypothetical situation in which harm occurred as the result of a medical error, patients overwhelmingly report that they would want to be told of the error. Full disclosure increases patient satisfaction, trust, and positive emotional responses.
Although this disclosure may make them feel better, it may not decrease their desire to sue. Most patients (83%) would want financial compensation for an injury that occurs because an error, and 13% expressed a desire for compensation even if harm didn’t occur. A questionnaire of this type does not evaluate the role of bedside manner during the process of disclosure. (LOE=2c)
