Addressing the Psychological Impact of Surgical Errors

Surgeons must prioritize mental health after adverse events to improve practice and patient care.

• Up to 96% of surgical staff feel emotional distress post-error, with guilt (53-89%) and anxiety (45-88%) prevalent.
• Disclosure rates for surgical errors range from 17% to 62%, hindered by fear of litigation and unclear protocols.

Enhancing organizational strategies for disclosure and psychological support is critical for clinician well-being.

• Training interventions can improve communication, but significant gaps in support and training persist.