Medical errors remain a significant contributor to morbidity, mortality, and rising healthcare costs worldwide. They range from medication errors and diagnostic delays to procedural complications, often compounded by systemic failures rather than individual negligence. While error prevention strategies such as checklists, electronic prescribing, and simulation-based training are advancing, no system can completely eliminate risk. The critical issue is disclosure .
Ethical guidelines, including those from the American Medical Association and WHO, advocate for open and timely communication with patients following an adverse event. Full disclosure has been shown to improve patient trust, satisfaction, and adherence to ongoing care , while underreporting or concealment erodes confidence and increases the risk of litigation. However, disclosure remains underutilized in practice. Barriers…
