title: The right to be informed and fear of disclosure: sustainability of a full error disclosure policy at an Italian cancer centre/clinic.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to investigate the behaviour of physicians in cases of medical error as well as the nature of the information that should be given to the patient and to ascertain whether it is possible to institute a full error disclosure policy. Data was collected through the completion of anonymous questionnaires by medical directors of the IRCCS CROB (the Oncology Centre of Basilicata, Italy).
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous questionnaire consisting of 15 questions was prepared and administered to all the physicians working at the IRCCS CROB - the Oncology Centre of Basilicata. The main aim of the research was to evaluate the feasibility of adopting a full disclosure policy and the extent to which such a policy could help reduce administration and legal costs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The physicians interviewed unanimously recognize the importance of error disclosure, given that they themselves would want to be informed if they were the patients. However, 50% have never disclosed a medical error to their patients. Fear of losing the patient's trust (33%) and fear of lawsuits (31%) are the main obstacles to error disclosure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors found that physicians were in favour of a full policy disclosure at the IRCCS CROB - the Oncology Centre of Basilicata. Many more studies need to be carried out in order to comprehend the economic impact of a full error disclosure policy.
authors.affiliation: ASL2 Lucca, Ospedale 'Campo di Marte', edificio O, 55100, Lucca, Italy. stefanoderrico@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Errico
authors.affiliation: I.R.C.C.S. Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata, via Padre Pio 1, 85028, Rionero in Vulture (PZ), Italy. sara.pennelli@crob.it.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pennelli
authors.affiliation: I.R.C.C.S. Centro di Riferimento Oncologico della Basilicata, via Padre Pio 1, 85028, Rionero in Vulture (PZ), Italy. antonio.colasurdo@crob.it.
authors.forename: Antonio Prospero
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Colasurdo
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00185, Rome, Italy. paola.frati@fastwebnet.it.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Frati
authors.affiliation: National Institute of Statistics ISTAT, AEM Territorial Office for Abruzzo and Molise Regions, Pescara, Italy. sicuro@istat.it.
authors.forename: Lorella
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sicuro
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomical, Histological, Forensic and Orthopaedic Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena 336, 00185, Rome, Italy. vfinesc@tin.it.
authors.forename: Vittorio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fineschi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002173:Cancer Care Facilities; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms; D010820:Physicians / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D035502:Trust; D014342:Truth Disclosure