Duty of Candour Practical — ORE Part 1 MCQ

Correct answer: B — Tell the patient, apologise, explain the consequences, and offer appropriate support or a remedy

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · A = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as D

A is correct. Under the GDC professional duty of candour, when something goes wrong that causes, or could cause, harm or distress, the patient must be told, given an apology, offered an appropriate remedy or support where possible, and given a full explanation of the effects and what can be done to put matters right. An apology is not an admission of legal liability. B may be part of appropriate local incident management, but it does not replace prompt disclosure to the patient. C is inadequate because candour requires an explanation, not an apology alone. D wrongly substitutes communication with a third party for communication with the patient. E is incompatible with the duty to tell the patient when the error is recognised.

Reference: General Dental Council. Being open and honest with patients when something goes wrong (The professional duty of candour), effective 1 July 2016. https://www.gdc-uk.org/docs/default-source/the-professional-duty-of-candour/duty-of-candour.pdf?sfvrsn=cba6dd3e