Lesly A Dossett1, Rondi M Kauffmann2, Jacquelyn Miller3, Reshma Jagsi4, M Catherine Lee5, Arden M Morris6, Gwendolyn P Quinn7, Justin B Dimick8. 1. Department of Surgery, Center for Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan Institute for Health Policy and Innovation (IHPI), Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Electronic address: ldossett@umich.edu. 2. Department of Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee. 3. Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan IHPI, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 4. Center for Bioethics and Social Sciences in Medicine, University of Michigan IHPI, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Department of Radiation Oncology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 5. Comprehensive Breast Program, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Tampa, Florida. 6. Stanford-Surgery Policy Improvement Research & Education Center, Palo Alto, California. 7. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York. 8. Department of Surgery, Center for Health Outcomes and Policy, University of Michigan Institute for Health Policy and Innovation (IHPI), Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Physicians are encouraged through formalized systems to discuss their own errors with peers for the purposes of quality improvement. However, no clear professional norms exist regarding peer review when physicians discover errors that occurred at other institutions before referral. Our objective was to determine specialist physicians' attitudes and practices regarding providing feedback to referring physicians when prereferral errors are discovered. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews of specialists from two National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Centers. Thematic analysis of transcripts was performed to determine physicians' attitudes toward the delivery of negative feedback regarding prereferral errors, whether and how they communicate these errors to referring physicians, and perceived barriers to doing so. RESULTS: We purposively sampled specialists by discipline, gender, and experience level, who described greater than 50% reliance on external referrals (n = 30). Specialists believed regular, explicit feedback was ideal, but the majority of participants reported practices that did not meet this standard. While there were some structural barriers to providing feedback (lack of time or contact information), the majority of barriers were internal psychological concerns (general discomfort with providing negative feedback, fear of conflict, or defensive reactions) or fears about implications for future referrals or medicolegal risk. CONCLUSIONS: Policies and interventions that structure the approach to this sometimes difficult, yet critically important, opportunity for reducing medical errors warrant investigation as potential mechanisms by which to improve consistency and quality of care while maintaining positive professional relationships.
BACKGROUND: Physicians are encouraged through formalized systems to discuss their own errors with peers for the purposes of quality improvement. However, no clear professional norms exist regarding peer review when physicians discover errors that occurred at other institutions before referral. Our objective was to determine specialist physicians' attitudes and practices regarding providing feedback to referring physicians when prereferral errors are discovered. METHODS: We conducted semistructured interviews of specialists from two National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Centers. Thematic analysis of transcripts was performed to determine physicians' attitudes toward the delivery of negative feedback regarding prereferral errors, whether and how they communicate these errors to referring physicians, and perceived barriers to doing so. RESULTS: We purposively sampled specialists by discipline, gender, and experience level, who described greater than 50% reliance on external referrals (n = 30). Specialists believed regular, explicit feedback was ideal, but the majority of participants reported practices that did not meet this standard. While there were some structural barriers to providing feedback (lack of time or contact information), the majority of barriers were internal psychological concerns (general discomfort with providing negative feedback, fear of conflict, or defensive reactions) or fears about implications for future referrals or medicolegal risk. CONCLUSIONS: Policies and interventions that structure the approach to this sometimes difficult, yet critically important, opportunity for reducing medical errors warrant investigation as potential mechanisms by which to improve consistency and quality of care while maintaining positive professional relationships.