CMPA: Practically Speaking

Disclosure of patient safety incidents to patients or caregivers is a legal, ethical and professional obligation for physicians. Appropriate disclosure conversations facilitate dialogue during the incident management process and reinforces patient-physician trust. In this month’s episode, Steven and Yolanda discuss the best ways to handle disclosure of patient safety incidents and the importance of efficient communication in addressing patients’ needs throughout the process.

Decision support tools are designed to ease shared decision-making and patient involvement on health care decisions. When patients actively participate in decision-making and understand what is required of them, they are more likely to follow through. To establish an efficient shared decision making process, physicians must consider patients values, preferences and circumstances. In this month’s episode of CMPA Practically Speaking, our experts discuss the importance of patient’s decision aids to overcome communication challenges and build a strong patient-physician relationship.

When considering medical clearance for participation after injuries, there are numerous components to take into consideration to ensure physicians act within the standard of care, and that they keep patients’ best interest in mind. In this month’s episode, Steven and Yolanda discuss the precautions and responsibilities of both parties in assuring a safe return environment. The duo highlights the importance of shared decision-making to establish an efficient framework.

Related CMPA Perspective article:Can intraoperative decisions be diagnostic errors?https://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/advice-publications/browse-articles/2020/can-intraoperative-decisions-be-diagnostic-errors

Related CMPA Perspective article:Team debriefs: Participate and minimize your medical-legal riskshttps://www.cmpa-acpm.ca/en/advice-publications/browse-articles/2019/team-debriefs-participate-and-minimize-your-medical-legal-risksInstitute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Framework for Improvementhttp://www.ihi.org/resources/Pages/HowtoImprove/default.aspx