Addressing Our Errors

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to hear a professor/practitioner of family medicine share how to address errors in the medical profession.   Yes, the university hospital provides a unique environment for research, student-faculty-staff relationships, and connection with the world beyond the campus which it serves, but all members of the university community make mistakes (even sin).   Gasp!

As you journey through Lent, join me in meditating upon living out the Greatest Commandment by taking some time to

• consider how loving your neighbor fits in relationship to being/following Jesus the Christ in one’s vocation/discipline.
• acknowledge, confess, and release when/where/how you have fallen short … Note: we are not perfect.     We will err at times in our inter-personal interactions, spelling, presentations, research, articles, web posts/comments, patient care, advice, etc.   But when we purposefully hide mistakes to our own benefit, point fingers at others to avoid the consequences, or turn frustration with our self into agitation with others, we encounter sin and the evil one coming forth to destroy all it can.
• seek reconciliation in broken relationships.
• be intentional about blessing those whom you’ve been called to serve through the resurrection power of Jesus the Christ.

Would enjoy reading some comments from those outside of the Medical profession as to how you might translate these thoughts from a Medical professor to your place in higher education (Note: the below section is just an excerpt from a larger presentation which included much more material).   Also would you have any resources to recommend in addressing mistakes and/or offering apologies?   From those within the Medical profession, any points to add?

When we are at risk of committing errors

• Tired:   know your limits
• Under the influence (eg., alcohol, drugs, over the counter drugs)
• Competing demands
  • Work stresses
  • Family stresses (Note to those married:   open communication between family members is very important)
• Practicing outside the usual scope of practice/expertise or attempting a procedure after it’s been awhile since one’s regular practice of it

Personal feelings associated with errors

• Guilt
• Shame
• Fear of loss of reputation
• Vulnerability
• Fear of criticism

These events can leave emotional scars.   How to deal with a mistake

• Acknowledge a mistake has been made
• Find an open heart/mind to discuss the situation in confidence (e.g., mentor, attending physician, colleague, administrator, pastor, counselor)

Steps to address an error/mistake

1. Acknowledge
2. Explain
3. Express Remorse
   1. Pray for patient and their family
   2. Ask Forgiveness
4. Reparation

Minimizing our risks for errors

• Pray each day for wisdom, understanding, and caring as we serve our patients.
• Avoid situations that will degrade our performance
  • Lack of sleep
  • Alcohol, drugs, over the counter drugs
  • Don’t work when impaired with illness
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help, assistance, advise
  • The only dumb question is the one you didn’t ask.
• Be wary — we are human, and will err.

Resources for those in the Medical community:

• Apology in Medical Practice: An Emerging Clinical Skill, Aaron Lazare, JAMA, 9/20/2006, Vol. 296, No. 11, 1401. Note: Extract, i.e., first 150 words, available free at the above link.
• The Art of Apology: When and How to Seek Forgiveness, Family Practice Management, July/August 2007, 44-49. Note: Text available free at the above link.
• Medical Mistakes:   A Workshop on Personal Perspectives, The Oncologist, Vol. 6, No. 1, 92-99, February 2001. Note: PDF available free at the above link.