| Despite the fact that most patients expect disclosure and most clinicians believe patients have the right to know about clinical errors impacting their care, disclosure rates remain low.;Prior to implementation of a patient error disclosure initiative, a study was conducted among 404 (52% response rate) physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists. The survey instrument utilized newly validated scales of error disclosure culture, self-efficacy questions, and posed hypothetical error scenarios for which participants were asked how likely they would be to disclose.;Among the healthcare providers, disclosure culture was highest among physicians. However, regardless of provider profession, general disclosure culture decreases as years of experience increases. Significant differences in intent to disclose errors among provider professions were discovered and culture was positively associated with nurse intent to disclose errors.;This study immediately facilitated implementation of the error disclosure program and contributes to our understanding of interprofessional efforts to communicate clinical errors. |
