[A denouncement of medical errors in Goiás state]

Strengthening of citizenship reinforces the instruments to defend individual rights. The health care models currently used minimize communication between doctors and patients. There has been an increasing number of formal complaints against attitudes of physicians. The social impact of these accusations is great, but studies in Brazil and in the state of Goiás are not sufficient to make them meaningful. This work was intended to quantify and qualify complaints submitted to the Regional Medical Council of the state of Goiás against medical acts.

Descriptive, retrospective study of the processes formally registered in the state of Goiás between 2000 and 2006; interpretative reading of the procedural development of filed complaints at the Regional Medical Council of the state of Goiás and calculation of the efficacy of the ensuing actions.

Variation in the complaint frequency between 2000 and 2006 was not high; 62% of complaints concerned professional incompetence and inadequate patient -physician relationship. The number of complaints regarding plastic surgery and orthopedics was significant. In 60% of cases accusations were made by individuals.

The Regional Medical Council session resulted in warnings and reprimands in some cases, deferment (5%), and suspension of the licence to practice medicine (3%). Over 90% of the yearly cases were solved.

This problem has been effectively and efficiently approached, in spite of severe imperfections in data base management, preventing qualitative analyses of this matter.