title: Parents' perceptions of medical errors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to explore parents' experiences related to events which they believed to be medical errors in their child's care.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with parents who believed their child had experienced a medical error; responses were analyzed using qualitative methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 35 interviews, parents reported a variety of events that they believed to be errors. They described physical harm, emotional distress, life disruptions, changes in behavior, and damage to the relationship with the provider as a result of these events. Most parents felt that they had received no explanation of what had happened, no acknowledgement of the impact of the event, no apology and no acceptance of responsibility by a provider. Parents wanted providers to offer these responses, to express caring for the patient and to feel remorse. They also wanted to know that steps would be taken to prevent recurrences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perceived medical errors can impact both the patient and the family in many ways. We recommend that providers acknowledge the full impact of a perceived error and tailor their response to meet the specific needs of the patient and family.
authors: Meyers Primary Care Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA. Kathy.mazor@meyersprimary.org
authors: Kathleen M
authors: KM
authors: Mazor
authors: Sarah L
authors: SL
authors: Goff
authors: Katherine S
authors: KS
authors: Dodd
authors: Sarah J
authors: SJ
authors: Velten
authors: Kathleen E
authors: KE
authors: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015984:Causality; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors; D008875:Middle Aged; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult