The intention to disclose medical errors among health professionals in Kazakhstan

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Disclosure of near-miss medical error (ME) and how to disclose ME to patients remain controversial. Furthermore, available guidelines on the disclosure of ME have primarily emerged in developing countries; however, their suitability for Central Asian states is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of healthcare professionals (HCPs) intending to disclose MEs and their perceptions pertaining to MEs. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey in Kazakhstan using a structured questionnaire to collect data from 109 HCPs about the causes of disclosure MEs and the consequences in their practice. Results The majority of participants believed that they would be sued if they disclosed errors and near misses. There was a positive relationship between the threat of censure (p = 0.03) and the threat of dismissal (p = 0.01) in HCPs. There was also a significant difference between the distributions of liable for malpractice after disclosing an error to a patient or family member and experience of reporting a ME to administration. Conclusions In this study, most HCPs reported MEs to a hospital administration, although about half perceived that disclosing MEs to a patient is ethically unnecessary. Poor disclosure could be due to the fear of litigation and dismissal.