What about doctors? The impact of medical errors

Abstract

Medical error is a distressing event to the patient and the health care providers. The impact of such events has been well studied on patients but poorly on health professionals. These events are still considered as a taboo in the medical culture and hence missed as great learning opportunities. They have negative impact on doctors' emotional wellbeing, general quality of life, and their professional practice and conduct. Medical errors and adverse events also affect the quality and cost of the health service. Health service administrations should provide healthcare professionals involved in such events with professional support and counselling services, and should consider and treat them as second victims.

Keywords: Adverse events; Causes of medical errors; Emotional impact of medical errors on doctors; Impact of error on clinical practice; Medical errors; Reaction of surgeons to medical errors and stress.