Parents' perceptions of medical errors

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Healthcare
• Patient Safety
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Medical errors in pediatric care can have profound effects on families.
• Understanding parental experiences is crucial for improving patient safety and care quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore parents' lived experiences with events they perceived as medical errors in their child's healthcare.
• To identify the impact of these perceived errors on children and their families.

Main Methods:

• Conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with parents who believed their child experienced a medical error.
• Utilized qualitative analysis methods to interpret interview responses.

Main Results:

• Parents reported various events perceived as errors, leading to physical harm, emotional distress, and life disruptions.
• Most parents felt providers failed to offer explanations, acknowledge impact, apologize, or accept responsibility.
• Parents desired providers to express remorse, care, and commit to preventing future occurrences.

Conclusions:

• Perceived medical errors significantly impact both pediatric patients and their families.
• Healthcare providers should acknowledge the full impact of perceived errors and tailor responses to family needs.