From Error to Ethics: Five Essential Lessons from Teaching Clinicians in Trouble
Description
n this essay, Sokol offers five crucial lessons learned from teaching clinicians who have stumbled and faced disciplinary action. Drawing on hundreds of real-life cases, ranging from dishonesty to boundary violations, he explores the causes and impact of ethical failures and suggests practical steps to avoid them.
The essay serves both as a cautionary tale and a guide for every clinician and student who risks a fall from grace.
Additional information
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Author(s):
Sokol | Sokol |
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ISBN:
978-1-036-91423-3 | 978-1-036-91423-3 |
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Publisher:
Daniel Sokol | Daniel Sokol |
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Reviewed by:
Professor Adrian Thomas, visiting professor, Canterbury Christ Church University | Professor Adrian Thomas, visiting professor, Canterbury Christ Church University |
Publisher price: £9.99
This is an important and interesting book, and everyone should buy a copy. It is inexpensive and the pages are packed with wisdom. Daniel Sokol is a barrister who has a long-standing interest in medical ethics. He has developed from simply teaching that subject to offering remedial teaching to clinicians who are in trouble with either their employer, regulator or disciplinary body.
In some respects, issues involving technical performance are easier to manage than those involving ethics and interpersonal relations. Situations involving ethical failure are more difficult to remedy than those of clinical performance, and may not even be recognised by the perpetrator as a problem due to lack of insight. Sokol identifies a number of issues including dishonesty, sexual misconduct with a patient or colleague, unprofessional behaviour, domestic violence, criminal activity, breach of confidentiality and inappropriate use of social media. Clinical failure is last on Sokol’s list.
Sokol identifies five key lessons that he addresses in the book: making medical ethics education a priority; clinicians recognising their power; being scrupulously honest both in and out of work; seeking help from others; and realising that medicine is not ‘simply a job’. As already noted, Sokol realises that many in trouble may not recognise behaviour as problematic and, in particular, may be unaware of the difference in power dynamics in interactions with colleagues or patients.
Sokol wrote this book when he was president of the Osler Club of London and asked members to provide their favourite quotations from Sir William Osler. He has been inspirational for many in regard to the practice of medicine and this collection of quotations is invaluable. The first has him realising that he remains a medical student with much to learn and, in the final quotation, Osler remarks that in life, the most essential thing for happiness is the gift of friendship.
I can see no reason why everyone who reads this review should not purchase a copy. We will all benefit from Sokol’s experience and wisdom, and it may help you to avoid problems in the future
