Title |
Error Disclosure in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine: A Review of the Literature
|
---|---|
Published in |
The AMA Journal of Ethic, August 2016
|
DOI | 10.1001/journalofethics.2016.18.8.nlit1-1608 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Ifeoma U Perkins |
Abstract |
Since the 1990s, the fields of anatomic and clinical pathology have made strong commitments to improving patient safety, including the creation of formal and informal guidelines for assessing and reporting quality lapses. Unfortunately, some medical errors are inevitable. Patient safety experts advocate full and complete disclosure of all serious medical errors in an effort to preserve the patient-physician relationship and minimize the risk of harm to patients. While evidence suggests that most pathologists disclose serious medical errors, many do not disclose such errors to patients. A literature review of articles published on diagnostic error disclosure in pathology and laboratory medicine suggests that there are in fact persistent barriers to the disclosure of diagnostic errors that are specific to pathology. A number of these barriers are considered here, followed by recommendations for improving patient safety in pathology. |
X Demographics
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
United States | 6 | 22% |
Spain | 5 | 19% |
Saudi Arabia | 2 | 7% |
Romania | 1 | 4% |
Indonesia | 1 | 4% |
United Kingdom | 1 | 4% |
Australia | 1 | 4% |
Panama | 1 | 4% |
Canada | 1 | 4% |
Other | 0 | 0% |
Unknown | 8 | 30% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Members of the public | 19 | 70% |
Scientists | 5 | 19% |
Science communicators (journalists, bloggers, editors) | 2 | 7% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 1 | 4% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Unknown | 35 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Student > Master | 7 | 20% |
Student > Bachelor | 6 | 17% |
Other | 3 | 9% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 3 | 9% |
Researcher | 3 | 9% |
Other | 4 | 11% |
Unknown | 9 | 26% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
---|---|---|
Medicine and Dentistry | 16 | 46% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 3 | 9% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 2 | 6% |
Arts and Humanities | 1 | 3% |
Business, Management and Accounting | 1 | 3% |
Other | 2 | 6% |
Unknown | 10 | 29% |