One thing no one prepares you for in college is the emotional weight of making a mistake while treating a patient. Accepting that an error has been made is difficult, but it is often these moments that push you to grow into a better clinician.
Making mistakes is inevitable, but building a system that helps reduce their chances over time is necessary. One simple habit that has helped me is daily self-reflection. At the end of the day, I take a few minutes to mentally go through the cases I saw and the decisions I made. I note where I may have missed a detail or could have made a different approach and if possible, try to correct it the next day. If there are any knowledge gaps, I read about them or discuss with my seniors and peers. This has gradually improved my clinical judgment.
Being a doctor means being a student for life. There is always something new to learn and mistakes, while difficult to face, are a part of this journey.
How do you deal with mistakes in your clinical practice ?
MBH/PS