M5 Open disclosure following an adverse event: an Australian approach to high-level training

M5 Open disclosure following an adverse event: an Australian approach to high-level training

Format: Some didactic teaching, with continuous audience interaction

Australia has established a National Open Disclosure Standard when patients are harmed. An educational package provides practical tools for implementing the standard, and in 2007 a professional training programme for serious incidents was delivered to all 11 area health services of the NSW State Department of Health. The training uses role plays with professional actors and explored initial disclosure and continuing liaison with patients and families, and effective support of healthcare staff. This workshop will present elements of the training programmes, including the role play, and review the lessons learned.

After this course you will be able to:

• Understand the impact of high-level adverse events and their disclosure on patients, their families, clinicians, and administrative staff

• Identify techniques and strategies for communicating with patients, their families, and staff following an adverse event

• Practise the application of these strategies in an e-learning simulation

• Explore the results of a high-level training programme in an Australian context

Stewart Dunn, Professor of Medical Psychology, University of Sydney Northern Clinical School;   Ian Swallow, Actor, Pam McLean Centre, Australia