title: Rural community members' perceptions of harm from medical mistakes: a High Plains Research Network (HPRN) Study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to learn about community members' definitions and types of harm from medical mistakes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mixed methods study using community-based participatory research (CBPR). The High Plains Research Network (HPRN) with its Community Advisory Council (CAC) designed and distributed an anonymous survey through local community newspapers. Survey included open-ended questions on patients' experiences with medical mistakes and resultant harm. Qualitative analysis was performed by CAC and research team members on mistake descriptions and types of reported harm. Patient Safety Taxonomy coding was performed on a subset of surveys that contained actual medical errors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 286 surveys were returned, with 172 respondents (60%) reporting a total of 180 perceived medical mistakes. Quantitative analysis showed that 41% of perceived mistakes (n = 73) involved only unanticipated outcomes. Reported types of harm included emotional, financial, and physical harm. Reports suggest that perceived clinician indifference to unanticipated outcomes may lead to patients' loss of trust and belief that the unexpected outcome was a result of an error.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CBPR methodology is an important strategy to design and implement a community-based survey. Community members reported experiencing medical mistakes, most with harmful outcomes. The response they received by the medical community may have influenced their perception of mistake and harm.
authors.affiliation: Foundation for Healthy Living, 30 Century Hill Drive, Latham, NY 12110, USA. vanvorst.rebecca@foundationforhealthyliving.org
authors.forename: Rebecca F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Van Vorst
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Araya-Guerra
authors.forename: Maret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Felzien
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fernald
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Elder
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Duclos
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Westfall
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000379:methods*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008318:Malpractice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D012424:Rural Population; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*