Strategic planning to reduce medical errors: Part II--therapy

In Part I of this series, medical errors were analyzed from a systems dynamics viewpoint. It was noted that despite extensive dialogue and a continuing stream of proposed medical practice revisions, medical errors and adverse impacts persist. Connectivity of vital elements is often underestimated or not fully understood. In Part II, our analysis suggests that the most fruitful strategies for dissolving medical errors include facilitating physician learning, educating patients about appropriate expectations surrounding treatment regimens, and creating "systematic" patient protections rather than depending on (nonexistent) perfect providers.