Residents' responses to medical error: coping, learning, and change

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Psychology
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Medical errors significantly impact resident physicians' emotional well-being.
• Understanding these emotional challenges is crucial for effective training and support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the emotional challenges faced by resident physicians after medical mishaps.
• To identify coping strategies employed by residents in response to these events.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative interviews were conducted with 26 resident physicians from a single teaching hospital.
• Interview transcripts were analyzed iteratively to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• Residents reported intense emotional responses to medical errors, particularly when patient outcomes were poor or personal responsibility was high.
• Coping was facilitated by reassurance, learning opportunities, and supportive interactions with colleagues and supervisors.
• Poor patient outcomes and perceived personal responsibility correlated with more intense emotional reactions.

Conclusions:

• Medical mishaps profoundly affect resident physicians emotionally, highlighting the personal and professional significance of these experiences.
• Resident training programs should acknowledge these impacts and foster constructive coping mechanisms.
• Facilitating open discussions and learning opportunities after errors is essential for resident development.