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Disclosing a Medical Error

Practice the difficult conversation of disclosing a medical error (a missed fracture) to a patient, focusing on accountability and rebuilding trust.

  1. 1
    Briefing
  2. 2
    Simulation
  3. 3
    Feedback

How This Works

This is an interactive phone call simulation. You'll speak with Mr. Chen in a realistic clinical communication scenario.

1. Start Call

Click "Start Call" when you're ready. Speak naturally as you would on a real call.

2. Have the Conversation

6 minutes to complete the call. The AI responds in real-time to what you say.

3. Get Feedback

End the call when finished. You'll receive AI-powered feedback on your communication.

💡 Tip: Speak clearly and at a natural pace. If you need a moment to think, it's okay to pause briefly - just as you would in a real conversation.

Briefing Details

1. Learning: Disclosing Medical Errors

Purpose of this Scenario

Disclosing a medical error is one of the most challenging conversations in healthcare. It requires not only the skills of delivering bad news but also a profound sense of accountability, transparency, and empathy. This scenario is designed to help you practice a structured and sincere disclosure, with the goal of rebuilding patient trust.

While frameworks vary, a successful disclosure often includes:

  • Acknowledgement: An explicit statement that an error occurred.
  • Apology: A sincere expression of sorrow for the harm caused.
  • Explanation: A clear, jargon-free account of what happened.
  • Action: A concrete plan to mitigate the harm and prevent recurrence.
Addressing Fear: Many learners fear that apologizing admits legal fault. However, research shows that transparent and empathetic communication can often reduce the likelihood of litigation by preserving the patient-provider relationship.

2. Scenario Briefing

Your Objective

Your goal is to call Mr. Chen to disclose a medical error. You must clearly explain the error, apologize sincerely, outline the new plan of care, and begin the process of rebuilding trust.

Patient Background

You are calling Mr. Chen, a 55-year-old man. He presented to the Emergency Department three days ago with wrist pain after a fall. He was evaluated, had an X-ray, and was told it was a simple sprain and discharged home.

Crucial Information: Mr. Chen is a reasonable but firm person. He is expecting a routine follow-up call and has no idea an error was made.

Key Medical Facts

  • The Error: A radiologist's final review of the X-ray shows a non-displaced scaphoid fracture that was missed on the initial read in the ED.
  • The Consequence: The patient has been using his wrist with an undiagnosed fracture for three days, which could potentially impact healing.
  • The New Plan: He needs to be brought back in to be placed in a thumb spica cast and referred for orthopedic follow-up.

3. How to Interact

Starting the Simulation

Follow these steps to begin the role-playing exercise:

  1. When you have reviewed the learning material and briefing, press the Start Scenario button below.
  2. You will hear the phone ringing for a few seconds.
  3. When the ringing stops, the AI patient will answer, but will wait for you to speak. You must initiate the conversation.

Learning Objectives

Optional prep details

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Optional Pre-Call Knowledge Check

Optional self-check before you start

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This scenario requires an account. Sign in to begin the simulation.

After completing this scenario, you will be able to:

  • Describe the essential components of a medical error disclosure, including a clear statement of what happened, an apology, and a plan for remediation.
  • Explain the rationale for taking full accountability without deflecting blame or making excuses.
  • Identify communication techniques to foster transparency and begin rebuilding patient trust.

When disclosing a medical error, which of the following is the most critical first step to rebuild trust?

Which phrase should be AVOIDED during a medical error disclosure as it can sound defensive and undermine the apology?