Investigation of Medical Errors in Teaching Pediatric Departments: Residents' Point of View

Medical errors in pediatrics if different from adults. This study aimed to investigate type and frequency of medical errors and the related contributing factors from pediatric residents' point of view. This descriptive and cross sectional study was done in 2016. After determining validity (face and content) and reliability the final questionnaire with 17 questions categorized in six parts was used for data collection. Data were analyzed descriptively using SPSS v.22. ''Errors of diagnosis or delay in diagnosis' (8.6)', ''choosing appropriate dose (8.3) and medication (8.2)'' had the highest average weights. Fellows of pediatrics (12.6) and pediatrics’ professors (12.1) with the highest average weights had the most dominant role in diagnosis and prevention of errors. The most and the least average weights of the errors was reported for urban general physicians and pediatrics’ professors, respectively. Errors could occur at 2-8 AM more likely. Junior residents were the ones with the most chance of doing errors. Medical errors were mostly reported to occur in the group of children (70.6%) than neonates (29.4%). Reconstruction and strengthening educational and supervision role of pediatric fellowships and attending with the aim of in time diagnosis and then prevention of medical errors could be considered as a must in teaching hospitals. Holding purposeful educational courses and control of contributing factors like workload, exhaustion, inexperience, etc. are among duties of educational and executive managers.