Do doctors make mistakes?
Yes, definitely.
When we make mistakes, they can have far reaching consequences. You can have a serious (and preventable) drug side-effect; not have cancer diagnosed in time; or lose a limb or eyesight, or at worse your life.
Doctors – and indeed all health professionals – should not make big decisions, or carry out procedures or operations, that they do not have enough experience for.
But from the doctor’s perspective, if they think a mistake has happened, it is important to:
- Tell the truth
- Tell a colleague (usually a senior) as soon as possible. Write down what happened
- Make every effort to inform the patient and family. This is called ‘duty of candour’.
