Abstract
In radiological practice, as in any medical activity, errors are inevitable despite being foreseeable and preventable. The approach to managing medical error and relations with patients prompt the need for resolving the ethical dilemma arising from conflicting legitimate interests. The solution to this dilemma is particularly complex in an environment in which the tendency to sue physicians for civil liability or incriminate them for criminal liability appears to be particularly high. The disclosure of error is undeniably useful in raising patient awareness, reducing their suffering, improving the quality of care and limiting the consequences of the damage. There does not appear to be any evidence to suggest disclosure modifies the probability of litigation against the physician.
Riassunto
Nella pratica radiologica, come in qualsiasi attività medica, l’errore è inevitabile, anche se prevedibile e prevenibile. Le modalità di gestione dell’errore medico e le relazioni con i pazienti pongono la necessità di risolvere il dilemma etico che scaturisce dalla contrapposizione di interessi legittimi. La soluzione di tale dilemma è particolarmente complessa in un ambiente nel quale la tendenza a citare il medico per responsabilità civile o a incriminarlo penalmente appare oggettivamente elevata. La rivelazione dell’errore è certamente utile ad aumentare la consapevolezza del paziente, ridurne le sofferenze, migliorare la qualità dell’assistenza e limitare le conseguenze del danno. Non vi è evidenza che tale atto modifichi la probabilità che il medico sia sottoposto ad una azione giudiziaria.
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Magnavita, N., Magnavita, G., Fileni, A. et al. Ethical problems in radiology: medical error and disclosure. Radiol med 114, 1345–1355 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-009-0445-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-009-0445-z