Not Who, But What: Changing the narrative around medical mistakes

Course overview

Medical errors are an inevitable part of healthcare, but how we respond to them can make all the difference for patients, clients, and veterinary teams. This session challenges the traditional blame focused approach to medical mistakes and advocates for a systems based mindset that prioritizes learning, accountability, and improvement. Through real world case studies we will explore how narratives around medical errors are shaped and how shifting from who is to blame to what is to blame can foster a culture of safety and transparency. Participants will examine error statistics in both human and veterinary medicine, learn how to identify and respond to mistakes effectively, and understand the psychological and organizational factors that influence outcomes. We will also delve into the nuances of human behavior distinguishing between human error, at risk behavior, and reckless conduct and discuss how to apply root cause analysis RCA and failure mode and effects analysis FMEA to strengthen internal systems. By the end of this session, attendees will be equipped with practical tools and a new mindset to approach medical errors constructively and compassionately.