Endometriosis

Promoting patient safety in primary care Honesty and openness may not be best policyEditor-We were both surprised by Wilson et al who, in their editorial, ask everybody to send in reports of their errors. 1Our concerns remain regardless of whether or not such accounts are published anonymously.After all, the police have used anonymous medical research data in their investigations.A conviction of culpable and reckless behaviour was secured against a man after he had sexual intercourse with his girlfriend without telling her he was infected with HIV.The scientific evidence that secured the conviction came from confidential research data that were obtained with a police warrant. 2 Furthermore, Wilson et all say that for doctors to report their errors, patient consent will be needed.This means that the patient will know that an account of his or her care is to be published and may read it.He or she may ask his lawyers to read it.The lawyers may then be able to substantiate this published account as a confession of guilt or negligence.Wherever and whoever we are, we must be careful as doctors what we say.For example, although we understand that no charges were brought, an incident last year highlights this point.Police are to hold a murder inquiry into the case of Peter Brand, a Member of Parliament for the Liberal Democrat Party for the Isle of Wight and a general practitioner, who mentioned during a parliamentary debate that he had withdrawn treatment from a two year old boy with leukaemia at the parents' request, to save him any more distress. 3This case had occurred in 1973, when he was a house officer.However regrettable, we do live in a culture of blame.To admit professional mistakes of a minor nature may be straightforwardly forgivable.The admission, however, of a serious offence or negligence by doctors may result in litigation against them.Before discussing such matters in public, doctors should seriously consider whether honesty and openness are the best policy.