Doctors' responses to medical errors

Medical error has become a topic of much concern in recent years. Doctors' responses to their own or others' medical errors are important because openness or secrecy has an impact on efforts to reduce iatrogenic injury, on malpractice litigation, and on patient and doctor satisfaction with care. This article reviews doctor's responses to error within the context of contemporary medical care and considers themes that emerge front this review. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.