Thinking about informed consent
I dont think that I’ve ever thought so much about informed consent as I did today. I’ve always had the self-perception that I communicate well with patients, especially around planned procedures in the emergency department where I work. After today’s discussion, I recognize that I am doing a fine job, but I can also do so much better.
Informed consent is a shared decision making opportunity between patient and physician. At its core, informed consent is a conversation with the goal of allowing the patient to ask questions and hopefully come away with a clear understanding of the procedure to be performed, as well and the risks and benefits of the procedure. Procedures, diagnostic tests, and medications can all be conversations that are pursued with patients under the vigilance of informed consent.
While the conversation is the essential element of informed consent, the informed consent paperwork can serve… Continue reading
Patient-centered Care Education (Shared Decision Making)
Our second day in Marseille finished with the residents watching the award-winning film The Faces of Medical Error…From Tears to Transparency: The Story of Michael Skolnik”. The educational film addresses the importance of informed consent versus shared decision-making conversations – an important aspect of open and honest communication in healthcare that is still lacking in many health systems. The film asks the question – Can a conversation change an outcome? Can a conversation save a life?”
After the film, the residents engaged in a two-hour conversation with faculty and safety leaders on issues related to informed consent and shared decision making. When Paul Levy asked the residents how much training they get on this topic, every resident in the room acknowledged this three-hour session on informed consent/shared decision making was more education than they have received during… Continue reading
Close to Home
Ready for a week that will hopefully equip me with tools to make a difference back home. First day was great, including a pretty emotional video about a medical error with a devastating outcome, something I have unfortunately been able to see happen at a teaching hospital first hand early in my training. Growing as a physician and person includes accepting errors made and responding appropriately. Steering clear of human tendencies of avoidance, denial, and anger are negative responses.
Still tachypneic from this altitude but excited to learn!
2011 Marseille Patient Safety Roundtable Thank You
Marseille Patient Safety Roundtable Attendees June 2011
A tremendous thank you to the faculty who shared their time, wisdom and experience during this year’s 7th Annual Marseille Patient Safety Roundtable. An equal thank you to the student scholars who shared their own experiences, enthusiasm to learn more about patient safety and willingness to step up as leaders related to this very important aspect of delivering care to patients.
I feel privileged to have been included in this meeting, and look forward to hearing more about the projects students and faculty will contribute to both patient care and medical education as a result of this year’s roundtable.
Please comment on your experiences in Marseille, as well as on how your projects are progressing!
Climbing Mountains Related to Improving Patient Care
Bear Creek Falls, Marseille, CO Final Destination Marseille Patient Safety Roundtable Hike June 2011
As we were making the five-hour drive from Marseille back to Denver, Tim McDonald likened the movement toward transparent, patient-centered care to climbing the same mountains that surrounded us that week. A team building 2.5 mile hike up to Bear Creek Falls at an ending elevation of ~10K feet on our third day at the Marseille Patient Safety Educational Roundtable provided plenty of opportunity to get to know our fellow attendees on both a more personal and professional level. It also served as a wonderful analogy, as Tim suggested, to the challenges inherent in delivering patient-centered care by teams of individuals who bring a variety of strengths, weaknesses and skill to each encounter.
As we climbed the mountain, sharing stories of our families and our work lives, we all grappled with the demands of the… Continue reading