Ethics Forum: A Physician’s Medical Error & the Patient’s Right to Know

In summary, despite the multiple challenges of disclosing another physician’s error, disclosure remains the right thing to do. Efforts should be made to ensure a meaningful disclosure process for the physician, patient and institution as we continue to reinforce a safe, patient-centered healthcare system built on honesty and trust among its participants.

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Sian Yik Lim, MD, is a rheumatologist at the Straub Bone & Joint Center, Straub Medical Center, Honolulu. He is a clinical densitometrist certified by the Inter­national Society for Clinical Densitometry. He is interested in quality improvement in healthcare and has been involved in efforts to improve the quality of osteoporosis care in Hawaii. Follow him on Twitter: @limsianyik.

Marcy B. Bolster, MD, is an associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston. She is the director of the Rheumatology Fellowship Training Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and is the medical lead for the MGH Fracture Liaison Service. She is a clinical densitometrist certified by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry.

Disclosures: Dr. Lim reports no potential conflicts of interest. Dr. Bolster has received a research grant from Eli Lilly and has stock investments in Johnson & Johnson.

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