Abstract
All individuals would like to receive competent and safe medical care and treatment from caregivers whom they trust. However, some recent medical accidents that have been published have resulted in a loss of trust in medical caregivers. This paper examines the trust between a patient and his/her caregiver with reference to medical errors, considers from the following respects. 1. When a person suffers an unexpected adverse outcome of treatment, he/she expects his/her medical caregiver to have a faithful attitude toward him/her. In particular, he/she expects the caregiver to be completely honest and clearly explain the effects of the treatment given to him/her and whether his/her condition could deteriorate. I believe that medical caregivers are responsible for informing patients who have suffered adverse outcomes of treatment. This is based on the ethical principles of doing no harm and respecting the patient's right to know. 2. Medical errors may occur because a substantial number of medical treatments involve high risks. Moreover, errors may also result due to organizational factors. 3. In Japan, large hospitals, where medical errors may frequently occur, have begun to investigate and examine the causes of such errors to reduce their occurrence and to improve patient safety. However, it appears that little attention is being given to policies concerning the disclosure of such errors. 4. All healthcare organizations should establish a strong, proactive policy to support individuals who have suffered errors in treatment by completely and honestly disclosing such errors to patients. If healthcare organizations do not support individual patients, they are not being honest with them. Moreover, ethical support from organizations may protect individuals from the shame, guilt, fear, and loneliness that they may experience.
