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Disclosure of mistakes.
G T Chiodo1, S W Tolle, C Critchlow
1Center for Ethics in Health Care, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201, USA.
General Dentistry
|May 13, 1999
Summary
Dentists must ethically disclose significant errors to patients, respecting autonomy and well-being. Open disclosure benefits all parties and avoids greater legal risks associated with concealment.
Area of Science:
- Dental Ethics
- Patient Safety
Background:
- Professional practice inherently involves errors that can harm patients.
- Patient autonomy is a core ethical principle in healthcare.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the ethical obligation of dentists to disclose errors to patients.
- To examine the implications of error disclosure for patient well-being and the dental profession.
Main Methods:
- Ethical analysis of professional obligations regarding patient harm.
- Consideration of patient autonomy and the right to information.
- Evaluation of the benefits and risks associated with error disclosure versus concealment.
Main Results:
- Disclosure is ethically mandated when errors significantly impact patient health and well-being.
- Concealing errors violates patient autonomy and can increase legal jeopardy.
- Open disclosure fosters trust and benefits patients, dentists, and practices.
Conclusions:
- Dentists have a clear ethical duty to inform patients about significant errors.
- Transparency in error reporting is crucial for maintaining professional integrity and patient trust.