How Professionalism Shapes Patient Safety | Quality Time with Dr. Schaal

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In this episode, Dr. William Cooper, president of the Vanderbilt Health Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy, discusses how professionalism, teamwork and communication shape everything — from malpractice risk to patient outcomes, workplace culture and long term career performance.

Expert: Dr. William Cooper, president of the Vanderbilt Health Center for Patient and Professional Advocacy

Notable topics covered:

• Just 2% of physicians account for 50% of all malpractice claims

• Peer-delivered feedback — "Cup of Coffee” conversations — can reduce future malpractice risk by up to 80%

• 97% of clinicians who receive early, informal feedback modify their behavior

• These interventions decrease complaints, strengthen workplace culture and ultimately save lives

• Professionalism’s effect on quality care

• Who is responsible for the majority of malpractice claims

• Ways to reduce claims and increase professionalism

Links:

• Dr. William Cooper (Clinical Profile, LinkedIn)

• Communication and resolution programs expose hard-to-hear truths

• Huddles for unprofessional behaviours in the healthcare setting that may require immediate investigation, inquiry or intervention | BMJ Leader

Quality Time with Dr. Schaal is an accredited continuing medical education course. Visit our Online CE page to listen and earn 0.50 credits per episode. Houston Methodist is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.