Effect of adverse events disclosures on surgeons’ well-being

Editor's Note

Surgeons who were less likely to follow national guidelines for disclosure of adverse events to patients were more likely to be negatively affected by the events, this study finds.

A survey of 67 surgeons at Veterans Affairs medical centers found that most used five of eight recommended disclosure items. Thee items were not as commonly discussed−apologizing to the patient, discussing whether the event was preventable, and discussing how recurrences of the event could be prevented. Surgeons who did not disclose this information were more likely to be negatively affected by adverse events.

In addition, surgeons with more negative attitudes about disclosure reported more anxiety about future outcomes or adverse events as a result of having had a disclosure conversation with patients.

Quality improvement efforts focused on the association between disclosure and surgeons’ well-being may help sustain open disclosure policies, the authors say.

1Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Veterans Affairs Boston Healthcare System, Boston, Massachusetts 2Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research, Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, Massachusetts 3Department of Health Law, Policy and Management, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 4Department of Surgery, Veterans Affairs Boston