Health care professionals' views of implementing a policy of open disclosure of errors

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To understand the views of doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and health managers of open disclosure of medical errors. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 131 health professionals to understand their experiences of implementing open disclosure in 21 providers in Australia. RESULTS: Health professionals are positive about open disclosure and are applying the model to patient-clinician communication encounters more generally. Workforce and systems competencies enable clinicians and health service managers to implement open disclosure principles and practices, although a propensity to hide errors, wavering commitment and to exacerbate the problem inhib..