Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.
Godfrey, Leibsle, Blackbourn & Howarth, S.C.

Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today

Elkhorn, WI

COVID-19 Message: We are available during business hours by phone and other forms of electronic and written communication. Read more.

Increased supervision of residents doesn’t reduce medical errors

A person is not born a doctor. It takes time, dedication and much education to become a doctor. Even after obtaining the proper degrees, one must go through training and testing in order to practice. All in all, it takes a better part of a decade to become a doctor. Even after all this time, education and specialized training, doctors still make mistakes. Such an incident can be extremely shocking for Wisconsin resident, causing them to have many questions about what just happened and what they can do.

According to a recent study, it was found that increasing direct supervision of physician residents does not reduce the chances of medical errors occurring. It also found that it caused residents to be less autonomous. Because medical errors are a major issue and the reason why patients are harmed or even lose their lives, researchers wanted to determine ways to reduce this rate seen among residents.

With regards to supervising residents, the study looked at those that were supervised the standard amount. This consists of attending physicians and residents participating in rounds for newly admitted patients. However, it allows for medical students to conduct their own rounds on their own. This allows for residents to practice coming up with their own treatment plans.

On the other hand, increased supervision, which has become more popular over the past two decades, is when both attendings and residents are present throughout the rounds conducted, whether it is a new patient or not. In both situations, residents are supposed to confirm with their attending physician the treatment plan he or she has come up with, reviewing the resident’s medical decision-making skills. Because the rate of medical errors did not change whether increased supervision was provided, researchers not only question what could help reduce this rate but also whether increased supervision is necessary.

Whether it was the actions of a resident or an attending physician, it is important that patients understand their rights and options after being harmed by a medical error. It might be possible to hold a negligent doctor accountable. A medical malpractice action could help with liability and the collection of compensation to offset the losses and damages suffered.

RSS Feed

FindLaw Network