Training
Different methods have been used to identify the human factor causes of medical errors1, 2, 3. Studies of behaviour in the operating room show that sub-optimal performance in non-technical skills such as teamwork, leadership, communication, awareness and poor decision making are common4 and can lead to errors5, poor outcomes6, and higher compensation payouts7.
The importance of nontechnical skills is highlighted by the fact that errors in the operating theatre are rarely due to deficiencies in technical performance8. Training strategies should aim to enhance team work skills in the operation room and thus reduce the incidence of errors.
To fulfil their roles successfully, doctors need to acquire a variety of nontechnical skills as part of their training as technical expertise alone does not guarantee safe operations9.
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2. Menachemi N, O'Connor S, Schewchuk R. Physicians' perceptions of medical errors. Paper presented at the Academy of Management Annual Meeting: Denver, August 2002.
3. Joice P, Hanna GB, Cuschieri A. Errors enacted during endoscopic surgery - a human reliability analysis.
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4. Yule S, Flin R, Maran N, et al. (2006) Non-technical skills for surgeons in the operating room. A review of the literature. Surgery 39:140-149.
5. Stevenson KS, Gibson SC, Rogers PN, et al. Process of care in acute surgical admissions: room for improvement. Br J Surg in press.
6. Christian C, Gustafon M, Roth E, et al. (2006) A prospective study of patient safety in the operating room. Surgery 139:159-173.
7. Studdert DM, Mello MM, Gawande AA, et al. (2006) Claims,errors, and compensation payments in medical malpractice litigation.
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8. Chopra V, Bovill JG, Spierdijk J, et al. Reported significant observations during anaesthesia: a prospective analysis over an 18-month period. Br J Anaesth. 1992;68:13-17.
9. Baldwin PJ, Paisley AM, Brown SP. (1999) Consultant surgeons' opinion of the skills required of basic surgical trainees.
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