title: Patients' perception of error during craniotomy for brain tumour and their attitudes towards pre-operative discussion of error: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Medical error can result in significant morbidity and even mortality. Public and media attention remains focussed on its incidence and causes. Appreciation of patient perception of medical error in the neurosurgical setting is limited. This study investigated patients' perceptions of potential medical error during craniotomy for brain tumour and whether this influenced their decision to consent.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study utilised qualitative research methodology. Thirty-five patients who had undergone craniotomy for brain tumour were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Interviews were transcribed and subjected to thematic analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis revealed seven overarching themes: (i) views on what constituted medical error were well formed; (ii) to err is human; (iii) protocols exist to prevent error; (iv) trust in one's surgeon is important; (v) patients' belief that they can influence the likelihood of error was variable; (vi) concern with treating the disease trumps worry over possible errors; and (vii) the usefulness of discussing potential error was variable.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients had a good understanding of medical error and it's potential causes. The usefulness of pre-operative, pre-consent discussion of error was varied. It may empower clinicians and patients to talk about such issues, though this should avoid exacerbating a patient's anxiety.
authors: Division of Neurosurgery, University Health Network, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. d.holliman@doctors.org.uk
authors: Damian
authors: D
authors: Holliman
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Bernstein
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D003142:Communication; D003399:Craniotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D010465:Perception; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000523:psychology