Medical errors during training: how do residents cope?: a descriptive study.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Safety
• Physician Well-being

Background:

• Physicians experiencing medical errors face significant emotional distress, known as the "second victim phenomenon."
• Medical errors during residency are linked to increased burnout and depression among physicians.
• Understanding residents' coping mechanisms and support systems is crucial for developing effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the emotional impact of self-perceived medical errors on residents.
• To identify the range of coping strategies employed by residents during their training.
• To determine the extent of personal and institutional support available to residents.

Main Methods:

• An online cross-sectional survey was distributed to 286 residents across all specialties.
• The survey assessed emotional responses, coping strategies (using the BRIEF COPE Inventory), and support systems related to medical errors.
• Data was collected in October 2018 from a single urban academic medical center.

Main Results:

• 95% of responding residents reported experiencing self-perceived medical errors, with 20% classified as moderate to severe.
• A majority of residents experienced guilt, remorse, or inadequacy, and frequently used maladaptive coping strategies.
• Residents feared retaliation and shame, leading to limited disclosure to patients' families, with only 32% participating in debriefing sessions.

Conclusions:

• Self-perceived medical errors significantly impact residents' emotional well-being, often leading to high rates of maladaptive coping.
• Fear of negative consequences discourages residents from disclosing and discussing medical errors.
• Findings underscore the necessity for targeted interventions to support residents affected by medical errors.