Risk of Major Medical Errors When Surgeons Are Burned Out or Depressed

According to the results of a survey published online in Annals of Surgery, surgeons who are burned out or depressed are more likely to say they had recently committed a major error on the job. 

The findings suggest that the mental well-being of the surgeon is associated with a higher rate of medical errors, something that may undermine patient safety. 

Nine percent of the 7,905 surgeons who responded to the survey reported having made a major medical mistake in the previous three months. Overall, 40% of the surgeons who responded to the survey said they were burned out.

Mistakes also varied by specialty. Surgeons practicing obstetrics/gynecology and plastic surgery were much less likely to report errors than general surgeons.

If you or someone you love suffered injury or death because of a medical mistake or surgical error, you should contact the medical malpractice attorneys at Berger & Lagnese for a free consultation.