Delivering the Truth: Challenges and Opportunities for Error Disclosure in Obstetrics.

Obstet Gynecol. 2014 Feb 4;
Authors: Carranza L, Lyerly AD, Lipira L, Prouty CD, Loren D, Gallagher TH
Abstract
Disclosing harmful medical errors to patients is a prominent component of the patient safety movement. Patients expect it and safety agencies and experts advocate its implementation. Obstetrics presents unique challenges to carrying out disclosure recommendations: childbirth is a life-changing, emotionally charged, and dynamic family event characterized by high expectations and unpredictability, and perinatal care is provided by complex ad hoc teams in a litigious area of medicine. Despite these challenges, transparent communication with parents about unexpected adverse birth outcomes remains critical. We call on clinicians and professional societies to pursue a deeper understanding of the unique challenges of disclosure in obstetrics and prepare themselves to conduct these difficult conversations well.

PMID: 24499761 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
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