Learning from errors: a workshop for personal and collective reflection

During the 2010 Prescrire Encounters, more than 90 participants attended a Preventing the Preventable workshop on learning from errors in order to provide high quality care. The workshop followed a standard method for reflection on medical errors: identifying and analysing preventable situations that resulted in errors, after which ideas for improvements were sought. During the reflection breakout sessions, participants described errors, expressed incentives and disincentives to talk about errors, and identified key messages. Most of the participants found these sessions valuable. The examination of medical errors helps to remove some of the obstacles that stand in the way of delivering high quality care to all patients. Some healthcare professionals are prepared to reflect on errors and to take action to overcome their reluctance to discuss them.