title: Use of a mock deposition program to improve resident understanding of the importance of documentation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been estimated that the probability of a physician being involved in a medical litigation by 65 years of age ranges from 76 to 98% depending on specialty. We hypothesized that a mock deposition held by a medico-legal expert attorney could effectively increase awareness of the importance of accurate and complete medical documentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre and post-lecture and mock deposition surveys were analyzed and the contents evaluated. Residents and attendings from the surgical, medical and OB-GYN departments participated. Results were analyzed through frequency distribution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 62 participants attended, 42 completed the pre-survey, while 24 completed the post-survey. Majority had no prior experience in malpractice lawsuits. After the post-survey, 95.8% believed that incorporating the mock deposition may reduce documentation error.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the results of the surveys we concluded that a mock deposition exercise provides a means for education residents regarding the importance of medical documentation.
authors.affiliation: Saint Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Department of Surgery, Pontiac, MI, USA. Electronic address: maguerge@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guerges
authors.affiliation: Saint Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Department of Surgery, Pontiac, MI, USA. Electronic address: elizaslama@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Eliza
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Slama
authors.affiliation: Saint Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Department of Surgery, Pontiac, MI, USA. Electronic address: Yzayadin@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yacoub
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zayadin
authors.affiliation: Saint Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital, Department of Surgery, Pontiac, MI, USA. Electronic address: Alicia.Kieninger@stjoeshealth.org.
authors.forename: Alicia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kieninger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004282:Documentation; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000379:methods*; D008318:Malpractice / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008824:Michigan; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education; D000066908:Simulation Training / Q000379:methods*