• Question: Are you ever worried you'll mess up during your job and effect your patient?

    Asked by Mel to Chris, Emma, Jonathan, Katharine, Shehla, Simon on 15 Jun 2017.
    • Photo: Emma Rowe

      Emma Rowe answered on 15 Jun 2017:


      It’s a thought that is always at the back of your mind as we are human after all, not machines. But if you ever have doubts, you ask a colleague their opinion to see if they think differently. With nursing, you are constantly learning and updating yourself on current research so if you can use research to back your practice up, you should be ok.

    • Photo: Katharine Bradbury

      Katharine Bradbury answered on 15 Jun 2017:


      Yes I am – doctors are only human and humans make mistakes. Thankfully most mistakes don’t lead to patients being harmed. It is crucial that we recognise areas where errors are more likely happen to so we can prevent them. At my practice we have regular discussions about ‘near misses’ and have developed new systems as a result. This can only happen if doctors/nurses are open and honest about their mistakes without fear of blame.

    • Photo: Jonathan Harte

      Jonathan Harte answered on 16 Jun 2017:


      Of course – but less so over the years with experience.

      You learn to manage that self doubt, rely on your training, be open with patients about the plan you have and review.
      the great thing as a GP is you can bring them back to see you to check if the plan works or if symptoms change.

    • Photo: Christopher Symonds

      Christopher Symonds answered on 19 Jun 2017:


      Of course this is a fear of all healthcare workers, both clinical and non-clinical but all you can do is to make sure that you check your work and if in any doubt ask a colleague for advice. I tell all new staff that if they make a mistake to tell me or an appropriate person as most mistakes can be rectified successfully, so long as staff admit to making one instead of trying to hide it. We are after all only human.

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