Doctors are told to “be perfect” – never make a mistake that negatively impacts the patient. In reality, being perfect is almost an impossibility. So what happens when doctors do make mistakes? Can any good come from that?
In an engaging video from TED, Dr. Brian Goldman discusses this culture of perfection and what lessons can be learned from admitting to mistakes in treatment. From the video:
“The redefined physician is human, knows she’s human, accepts it … and she works in a culture of medicine that acknowledges that human beings run the system.”
For more on emerging medical topics register for the PLUS Medical PL Symposium, March 29-30 in Chicago, IL.
Have a fantastic weekend!
“…almost an impossibility…” ?
Doctors are only one part of a very complex, tightly coupled process of care. Imperfect knowledge should be a given, not an indictment. When doctors decide to become a part of the process on an equal basis, then we can discuss such ideas as migrating decision making to the one with the expertise, recovery from errors and mitigation of injury. Doctors continue to demand a preeminent position in healthcare, to the detriment of a complex processes they don’t fully understand.
To err is human, to forgive divine.
Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism
English poet & satirist (1688 – 1744