How would you manage a situation in which an error on your part caused significant patient harm?
BehavioralResilienceHypothetical scenariosCore
Purpose
This question checks if you can handle mistakes responsibly, prioritize patient safety, and act ethically under pressure. They want to see if you'll own up to errors and take the right steps to fix them.
Tips
- First, ensure the patient's safety by stopping any harmful treatment and stabilizing them.
- Be honest and transparent with the patient and their family about the mistake. Apologize sincerely.
- Inform your attending and the healthcare team immediately to manage the situation together.
- Take responsibility for the error and follow through with any necessary reports or protocols.
- Reflect on what caused the mistake and think of ways to prevent it in the future, like using checklists.
Common mistakes
- Don't prioritize your own interests over patient safety by hiding the error.
- Avoid being vague or mechanical in your response; show empathy and sincerity.
- Don't skip notifying your team or following hospital protocols.
- Avoid being dismissive or confrontational in your communication.
- Don't forget to reflect on the mistake and plan for prevention in the future.