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Semin intervent Radiol 2019; 36(02): 104-107
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1688423
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Reflect and Remember: The Ethics of Complications in Interventional Radiology

Eric J. Keller
1   Division of Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, California
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Publication History

Publication Date:
22 May 2019 (online)

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Abstract

Clinicians, particularly those in procedural specialties, tend to feel personally responsible when complications occur. Medical errors among surgeons have been studied and provide an insightful window into the ethics of complications. Ethically we must consider what we owe patient and families, ourselves, and our colleagues. To some degree, the answers are similar: reflection, confession, and resolution. We owe patients and families an explanation and lack of abandonment; we owe ourselves thoughtful reflection on what caused the complication and how we can learn from it; and we owe our colleagues assistance managing our complications and a chance to learn from our mistakes. As a specialty that prides itself on innovation and novel therapies, interventional radiology has a unique relationship with complications that has not been well developed. As the specialty grows, it will be important to provide forums for further understanding the ethical challenges in interventional radiology.

Keywords

ethics - complications - interventional radiology - errors - reflection
 

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