Emotional Impact of Patient Safety Incidents on Family Physicians and Their Office Staff

This study was designed to determine the emotional effect of patient safety errors on the physician and office staff. To avoid burnout and other problems, an outlet should be chosen to deal with psychological distress following an incident. The results of the study indicated that the level of emotional response was related to the duration of the trauma rather than the event itself (O’Bierne, Sterling, Palacios-Derflingher, Hohman, & Zwicker, 2012). This article is useful for this researcher’s study as it will help in presenting the background of patient safety culture, and why it is applicable to business and healthcare organizations.

Notes:

A lack of support after a crisis hinders organizational learning.

Physicians suffer emotional distress, sleeplessness, and other effects after an incident in which a patient suffered unnecessary harm.

O’Bierne, M., Sterling, P., Palacios-Derflingher, L., Hohman, S., & Zwicker, K. (2012). Emotional impact of patient safety incidents on family physicians and their office staff. Jabfm, 25, 2, 179-185. doi: 10.3122/jabfm.2012.02.110166