Medication error. status

In 1983, professor of medicine Neil McIntyre and philosopher Karl Popper wrote an article entitled The Critical Attitude in Medicine: The Need for a New Ethics. I translate the opening sentences: “In medicine, like any other profession, mistakes happen. Sometimes the consequences are minor, but often they are serious, and at other times they can be catastrophic. A way must be found to correct mistakes; Unfortunately, in many cases the damage is not irreversible. The only benefit from a mistake is to avoid it in the future.”

The “medication error” topic is interesting. That is why it is always necessary to go to the doctor. For example, even mothers giving birth with the help of a midwife poverty, due to distrust in theories or doctors, sooner or later their sons/daughters need the help of a pediatrician. For convenience I list some reflections:

1. Fallible humanity is a great old idea. Everyone knows it: To err is human. It is necessary to learn from mistakes.

2. In Latin, the original expression says, errer humanum est, sad perseverare diabolicum, an adequate and intelligent concept: “To err is human, but to persist in error is diabolical.” That idea should be medical school.

3. In medicine (and in life) “to persist in one’s conduct, attitude, thoughts, or intentions despite chastisement, warnings, or admonitions”, must not be vague.

4. There are three sources through which one learns and grows in medicine: Books, ill, experience. Young doctors drink from it all: from books and magazines, theory; Thanks to the patients for the clinic, whose etymological origin comes from the Greek, “the care of patients in bed” and from experience, thanks to the teachings of teachers. Anyone who sticks to that triad makes fewer mistakes.

5. Criticism is a beautiful word. From the Greek krinen, it means “capable of understanding,” as well as “separate, judge, judge.” Anyone who submits to criticism grows. You improve from your successes and you progress when you reflect on your mistakes. In medicine, criticism is essential.

6. An old practice in medicine is the presentation of clinical cases. Errors must be noted and commented on. Criticism should be rigorous. When discussing medical errors, cronyism should be minimized.

7. Reporting errors is ethical. Do not cover them. Making errors in medicine and finding ways to resolve them is a concern of medical ethics. This attitude is unusual nowadays. It deprives of loyalty to colleagues, to the hospital, to the economy – “you send me patients, I send you patients” – and to pharmaceutical companies, not to the truth.

8. Medical professionalism, “the unwritten contract between doctors and society aimed at practicing medicine with integrity, compassion and empathy…” must be strengthened. Professionalism adds self-criticism and ethics. Doctors sensitive to criticism are self-judgmental; Self-diagnosing doctors follow ethical principles.

9. Doctors should have loyalty to their patients. There are no double standards.

Medication errors are common. Minimizing errors depends on self-critical attitude, Knowing how to be a recipient of criticism and having the ability to listen to patients and colleagues. Medical ethics is strengthened when this attitude is added.