Prevention of medical errors and malpractice: Is creating resilience in physicians part of the answer?

Abstract

In this article, we present key concepts regarding physician and resident resilience and burnout, the legal and educational context for these distinctions, and the effects of improved physician resilience through self-care on a reduction in medical errors and malpractice. Resilience here indicates the mental processes and behaviors that enable an individual to overcome the potential negative effects of stressors. In order to explore the multiple factors that contribute to physician resilience, the authors approached the topic from a variety of perspectives, including the current ways of thinking about medical malpractice in the United States, physician resilience and medical errors, and building resilience during postgraduate medical education. The authors review steps taken and in process to mitigate physician burnout and enhance physician resilience.

Keywords: Malpractice; Medical errors; Physician burnout; Physician stress; Resilience.