JAMA: 2009-08-12, Vol. 302, No. 6, Author in the Room™ Audio Interview

Interview with Thomas H. Gallagher, MD, author of A 62-Year-Old Woman With Skin Cancer Who Experienced Wrong-Site Surgery. Summary Points: 1. Errors and adverse events are common, and disclosure of these events to patients is recommended but often does not take place. 2. Physician fear of litigation inhibits disclosure, but so does physicians' lack of confidence in their communication skills and concern that disclosure might be harmful to the patient. 3. Important future developments in the field include linking disclosure with offers of compensation, and using performance improvement tools to enhance the disclosure process.