Accepted Type
Oral
Code
OG2-1-1
Acceptance Declaration
Accept
Additional Information
I declare I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this program.
Was this work accepted for CCME 2020?
no
Category
General Call (Workshop, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation)
Type
Oral
Sub Type
Education Research
Will the presenter be a:
Other
Presenter Other
Faculty
Affiliation
Considered for Poster
yes
Title
Disclosure: Policy, Practice and Medical Education
Length of Presentation
Background/Purpose
Transparent communication with patients is expected after harm. In Newfoundland and Labrador, a well-publicized error event prompted education in disclosure communication for physicians and a procedure for disclosure was formalized for each Regional Health Authority in the province. This study was designed to assess the penetrance of educational and policy initiatives to frontline physicians and trainees, and the openness to trainee involvement in the formal disclosure process.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was sent to physicians, including trainee physicians, in Newfoundland and Labrador. Focus groups were conducted with physician administrative leaders responsible to lead formal disclosure teams and Quality and Risk Management personnel responsible for institutional disclosure processes and training.
Results
Few clinicians had received education in disclosure. Less than half of respondents were aware of guidelines, legislation or institutional policies relating to disclosure of medical error. Almost all respondents supported trainee involvement in the disclosure process yet procedural resistance and barriers to trainee involvement were documented.
Conclusion
Uptake of disclosure education by physicians and trainees remained low. Education beyond undergraduate training was uncommon, and awareness of institutional policies and procedures was also low. Despite a lack of training, physicians participated in disclosure discussions. Training programs should continue to emphasize disclosure education beyond undergraduate lectures. Institutions have an opportunity in their on-boarding process to familiarize physicians to disclosure policies and procedures. Mentoring residents in disclosure is dependent on Faculty who have the knowledge and skills to do so.
Keyword 1
Disclosure
Keyword 2
Policy
Keyword 3
education
Level of Training
General
Abstract Themes
Patient Safety
Additional Theme (First choice)
Faculty Development
Additional Theme (Second Choice)
Continuing Medical Education
Additional Theme (Third Choice)
Postgraduate
Authors
Presenter
Julia Trahey
Term 1
Yes
Term 2
Yes
Term 3
Yes
Term 4
Yes
Term 5
Yes