Spotlight on Patient Safety:

Disclosure of Medical Errors

Overview

From the time they enter medical school, physicians are held to the expectation of practicing error-free medicine.  Even the axiom “First do no harm” underscores the belief that medicine should be free of error.  The goal is admirable if unachievable, given the complex system in which physicians work.  Mistakes are a very real part of practice, and the notion of “required perfection” has contributed to the profession’s intolerance for mistakes and lack of training in handling them when they occur.  While recognizing and acknowledging one’s mistakes is a crucial step toward process improvement in any industry, the subject continues to be treated as “taboo” among many health care providers, inhibiting open discussion and development of proactive approaches to managing them. 

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, a physician should be able to:

1. Analyze a case scenario to determine whether it meets the criteria for malpractice.
2. Identify four communication factors that often contribute to malpractice cases.
3. Name the characteristics of a defensible medical record.
4. Determine whether a patient has given informed consent for a procedure.
5. Name and avoid three types of risk associated with managed care protocols.
6. Identify and avoid risks associated with electronic medical records and e-mail.

 

Target Audience

This course is designed for physicians who want to learn to better communicate with patients regarding medical errors and unanticipated outcomes.  

Methodology

This is a self-study course consisting of text and CME test.  Physicians should read the course content, answer the test questions and submit the answers for scoring.  Those who complete the course with a score of 80 percent or higher will earn a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 creditsTM.

Faculty/Author

This course was developed by Rosemary Gafner, Ed.D.  Dr. Gafner’s CV is available on request or online at https://www.medrisk.com/Medrisk/Faculty/CV/default.aspx.

CME Information

Medical Risk Management, Inc. is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing education for physicians.  Medical Risk Management, Inc.designates this continuing medical education activity for a maximum of 4 AMA PRA Category 1 creditsTM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity is valid for release May 1, 2007 and expires on April 30, 2010.

Commercial Support

This activity was developed solely by Medical Risk Management, Inc. without any outside commercial support.