For the study, researchers from University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor systematically reviewed 11 peer-reviewed studies involving 21,517 physicians. All studies examined the association between physician depressive symptoms and perceived or observed medical errors.
Depressed physicians were 1.95 times more likely to make medical errors than their peers. Researchers also found a link between medical errors and subsequent depressive symptoms in physicians, pointing to a bidirectional relationship between the two factors.
“The bidirectional associations between physician depressive symptoms and perceived medical errors verified by this meta-analysis suggest that physician well-being is critical to patient safety,” the study’s authors concluded.
More articles on clinical leadership & infection control:
Consistent hospitalist care linked to better patient outcomes, study finds
10 top patient safety, infection control stories in November
3 HIV vaccine trials show great promise, experts say
Becker’s 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit is the top tier event that the people leading the future of pharmacy convene. This 3-day event is built specifically for Chief Pharmacy Officers and senior pharmacy leaders. The sessions examine the workforce, financial and clinical priorities shaping pharmacy today. Becker’s is where candid discussions flourish and new ideas thrive. Becker's 3rd Annual Fall Chief Pharmacy Officer Summit
