Association of open communication and the emotional and behavioural impact of medical error on patients and families: state-wide cross-sectional survey.
Prentice JC, Bell SK, Thomas EJ, et al. Association of open communication and the emotional and behavioural impact of medical error on patients and families: state-wide cross-sectional survey [published online ahead of print, 2020 Jan 20]. BMJ Qual Saf. 2020;bmjqs-2019-010367. doi:10.1136/bmjqs-2019-010367
This article describes results of a cross-sectional recontact survey of Massachusetts residents on the persisting impacts of medical errors. Over half of respondents on the self-reporting a medical error 3-6 years ago survey stated at least one emotional impact, avoiding the doctor(s) or facility(s) involved in the error, and two-thirds of respondents reported a loss of trust after the medical error. Logistical regression analyses, controlling for error severity, suggests that open communication can reduce persistent emotional impacts and avoidance of doctors/facilities involved in the error.