title: Strategic planning to reduce medical errors: Part I--diagnosis.
abstract: Despite extensive dialogue and a continuing stream of proposed medical practice revisions, medical errors and adverse impacts persist. Connectivity of vital elements is often underestimated or not fully understood. This paper analyzes medical errors from a systems dynamics viewpoint (Part I). Our analysis suggests in Part II that the most fruitful strategies for dissolving medical errors include facilitating physician learning, educating patients about appropriate expectations surrounding treatment regimens, and creating "systematic" patient protections rather than depending on (nonexistent) perfect providers.
authors.affiliation: Children's Hospital Heart Center, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, A!buquerque, New Mexico, USA.
authors.forename: J Deane
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Waldman
authors.forename: Howard L
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D019300:Medical Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D061214:Patient Safety / Q000592:standards; D011216:Practice Management, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D058996:Quality Improvement / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D013598:Systems Theory; D014481:United States