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Medical Malpractice
- No News is Good News? Not When it Comes to Medical Tests.
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- Virginia Hospital Harms Toddler Fighting Cancer...
Posted on 1/13/2012 - Long Delay in Test Results Harms Virginia Beach Woman...
Posted on 12/22/2011 - Study Shows Reality of Virginia Medical Malpractice Lawsuits...
Posted on 12/4/2011 - Study: Failure to Report Diagnostic Tests a Common Medical Mistake...
Posted on 11/26/2011 - Family of Medical Malpractice Victim Works to Prevent Hospital Errors...
Posted on 10/21/2011 - Back and Forth Continues over NC Medical Liability Reform Law...
Posted on 8/17/2011 - Virginia Doctor Faces Medical Malpractice Lawsuit...
Posted on 5/30/2011 - Spines Fracture- Doctors Misdiagnose- You Suffer...
Posted on 4/27/2011 - Medical Malpractice Lawsuit Filed by Virginia Plastic Surgery Patient...
Posted on 2/6/2011 - Virginia Beach Family Awarded $2.3 Million in Birth Injury Case...
Posted on 1/22/2011
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Medical Malpractice
- Ensuring That You Get the Results of Your Diagnostic Tests Could Save Your Life
- One Example of How Dangerous Medical Mistakes Cause Serious Birth-Related Injuries
- Types of Diagnostic Tests Used for Evaluating Breast Lumps
- How Electronic Medical Records Can Harm Virginia Patients
- Pharmacists in Virginia Beach Emergency Rooms Could Save Lives
Current News- Virginia and North Carolina
Your doctor’s state of mind could affect the outcome of your surgery
Posted on Nov 30, 2009
A large new study has shown that surgeons who describe themselves as burned out or depressed are more likely to make major medical mistakes at work. These findings are significant considering that as many as 10 percent of all hospitalized patients are affected by medical mistakes.
Fatigue and long working hours are often cited as reasons for doctor errors, but this study brings mental health issues to the forefront and underscores the importance that happiness and job satisfaction have on job performance.
The questions asked by researchers included those intended to rate emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and personal accomplishment – all elements of job burnout. Questions also included those intended to screen for signs of depression.
Data in the survey was made up of responses from 7,905 surgeons, 40 percent of whom responded that they were burned out and 9 percent responded that they had made a major medical mistake in the previous three months.
What the survey did not show was the number of nights on call per week and the number of hours worked negatively impacting surgeon’s work performance. Those who worked hard for long hours were not more likely to make mistakes, according to the survey results.
The study may push hospitals to more closely monitor their surgeons for signs of depression or burnout, especially if such factors have a clear impact on patient safety and the bottom line.
Read More About Your doctor’s state of mind could affect the outcome of your surgery...
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