A new way of relating: perceptions associated with a team-based error disclosure simulation intervention

Area of Science:

• Healthcare quality improvement
• Patient safety research
• Medical education and simulation

Background:

• Team-based error disclosure is an emerging concept in healthcare, with limited participation beyond physicians and managers.
• Existing literature on error disclosure often overlooks team-based approaches.
• A knowledge gap exists regarding perceptions of team-based error disclosure interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore healthcare professionals' perceptions of an educational simulation intervention for team-based error disclosure.
• To understand the factors influencing the perceived realism and benefit of team-based error disclosure.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study design.
• Semi-structured interviews conducted with physicians, surgeons, and nurses.
• Data collected from participants across three hospitals.

Main Results:

• Participants perceived team-based error disclosure as both unrealistic/forced and realistic/beneficial.
• Perceptions were influenced by the nature of the error, patient preferences, and professional norms.
• The simulation experience was described as a novel way of relating, distinct from current practices.

Conclusions:

• Team-based disclosure is not always necessary or realistic, particularly for single-discipline errors.
• A team-based approach is beneficial for complex errors involving multiple healthcare professionals and the patient.
• Further research and administrative support are needed to develop and test team-based error disclosure interventions in safe environments.