A Comparative Study of the Viewpoints of Interns and First-year Specialist Assistants Regarding the Causes and Disclosure of Medical Errors in the Teaching Hospitals of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, in 2018-2019

Background and Objectives Medical errors are harmful and unintended events that lead to complications, morbidity, and potential consequences. This can be potentially prevented by adhesion to strict medical standards. Descriptive data collection for awareness of involved medical staff can enhance the standards of care and restriction for medical error occurrence. Subjects and Methods The present survey was established as a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional epidemiological study. It aimed to determine the viewpoints of 300 interns and new residents regarding the causes and disclosure of medical errors in teaching hospitals of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in 2018-2019. The obtained data were analyzed. Results The mean prevalence of medical errors in interns in the investigated areas was moderate. There was a significant relationship between assistants and interns based on the prevalence of medical errors due to the specific characteristics of each patient and disease (P=0.008) The attitude of interns and assistants towards the causes of medical errors was moderate. There was no significant relationship between residents and interns based on their general attitudes toward the causes of medical errors (P> 0.05). Conclusion As evidenced by the results of this study, the most common cause of medical errors for missed diagnosis is related to the specific characteristics of each patient and the disease. It is suggested to reduce the occurrence of medical errors by creating electronic infrastructures for the systematic recording of data from the history and examinations and creating a process for the availability of the patient's past medical records. Furthermore, increasing the number of medical staff per shift should be noted.