Title : When things go wrong! From victim to liability and the case of AI
Abstract:
As surgeons we all have to deal with complications and sometimes errors. In neurosurgery this can be devastating for the patients with a lifelong deficit or even resulting in the decease of the patient. These unforeseen events cause a lot of (emotional) stress and should be handled carefully. The patient and his family are certainly the first victims and optimal management of aftercare and communication is of the utmost importance. However often the “second victim” tends to be forgotten: the treating physician who is responsible for the adverse event is also going through an emotional process and should be supported as well. Unfortunately the institutions are often not supportive and still search for a scapegoat. Peer support programmes have already shown their meaningful impact in helping these second victims.
The risk of litigation is another impacting factor which is more prominent in some countries compared to others. I will present shortly different approaches with the financial and emotional impact.
To finish the presentation we cannot omit the evolution of AI and its impact on our daily functioning, but who takes the responsibility and what are the risk? a story untold.
