Medical accidents: research in the U.K

There is a major gap in knowledge as regards the epidemiology and nature of medical accidents. Major studies, such as the Harvard Medical Practice Study, are required in the UK and elsewhere to identify common accidents and assess the needs of the patients involved. Such work would also provide an estimate of the likely cost of a no-fault compensation scheme. The study of critical incidents and "near misses" should form a regular part of clinical audit, as should the study of communications among medical staff and between care staff and patients. Existing work points to the need to review the training needs of junior doctors, especially in relation to the provision of consultant supervision, and to the need for counselling of all the parties, doctor and patient alike, who are involved in medical accidents.