He wonders if she has disability insurance and makes a note to ask her. Dr. McGregor then calls his senior colleague, Dr. Rendler, for advice. Dr. Rendler is surprised that Dr. McGregor did not have a more engaging discussion with the patient. Dr. Rendler believes that full disclosure of mistakes with patients is the best c ourse. She explains that she has had similar cases in the past and has found that the outcome has always been the best when one honestly shares one's mistakes with the patient.
Patients are less likely to sue if so informed and are better able to cope w ith the disease.
Dr. McGregor considers what to do next. To err is human. No one is immune. But when physicians err, the stakes obviously can be quite high. The issue here is not how to eliminate error, an unobtainable goal.