Author/Editor		Zwitter, Matjaž
Title		Zdravniška napaka in nivoji etične odgovornosti
Translated title		Physician's malpractice and levels of ethical responsibility
Type		članek
Source		In: Zwitter M, Ećimović P, editors. Etična razpotja v klinični medicini: program tečaja, prispevki in delovno gradivo; 1998. Ljubljana: Onkološki inštitut,
Publication year		1998
Volume		str. 91-5
Language		slo
Abstract		We speak of medical error when there is a gap between the accepted optimal and the actual procedure of diagnostics and treatment which is significant and damaging to the health of the patient. We attempted to determine the frequency of medical errors and high risk factors for them through a questionnaire sent to 17 specialists in cardio-vascular diseases or oncology. The respondents estimated that due to inappropriate processes, 15% of patients have a lower change of recovery or can expect a shorter duration of survival, and 20 - 30% of patients can expect a poorer quality of life with long-term treatment. Among the circumstances associated with higher risk of medical error the respondents cited as the most significant problems in personnel policy and work organisation and problems in postgraduate education. If we accept a broad definiton of medical errors, then they occur much more frequently than is normally adimitted. The responsibility for these errors is not borne solely by individual doctors. Ethical responsibility must be taken by the planners and patrons of medical education, personnel policy and work organisation, facilities, equipment, the extent of work and prescribed time and duration norms.
Descriptors		MEDICAL ERRORS ETHICS, MEDICAL QUESTIONNAIRES EDUCATION, MEDICAL RISK FACTORS