title: Erring and learning in clinical practice.
abstract: This paper discusses error type their possible consequences and the doctors who make them. There is no single, all-encompassing typology of medical errors. They are frequently multifactorial in origin and use from the mental processes of individuals; from defects in perception, thinking reasoning planning and interpretation and from failures of team-working omissions and poorly executed actions. They also arise from inadequately designed and operated healthcare systems or procedures. The paper considers error-truth relatedness, the approach of UK courts to medical errors, the learning opportunities which flow from error recognition and the need for personal and professional self awareness of clinical fallibilities.
authors.affiliation: King's College London. brian.hurwitz@kcl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hurwitz
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D008318:Malpractice; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards*; D017064:Process Assessment, Health Care; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D017751:Safety Management; D006113:United Kingdom