"Meaning and Adverse Events"

Abstract

In this thesis "Meaning and Adverse Events", the outcome of a literature research on the question "What does literature tell about the effect of attention to meaning on medical doctors involved in adverse event?" is presented. Unlike a person approach, a strong systematic analysis approach on adverse events, like Tripod Beta, has a positive effect to the attention to meaning on medical professionals involved in adverse events. The search for intersubjective shared understanding of actions, attention to morality and support for normative professionalism contributes to this as well. Medical doctors are not blamed as the main cause of 'adverse events without meaning'. They are part of the solution to prevent reoccurence. The adverse event becomes meaningful as it provides information on how future accidents can be prevented. Sharing information about accidents is a first requirement and the management of medical facilities should stimulate such an exchange of information, not only for the (self evident) benefit of the patients but also for the medical professionals involved to help them cope with the consequences of what was previously perceived as a meaningless event.