Medication Errors and Reporting Systems Perception Among Medical &Nursing Students and Paramedical Staff in Three Tertiary Level Hospitals Of India
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64252/1mhzw809Keywords:
Medication error, reporting systems, students, paramedical staff, patient safety, IndiaAbstract
Background: Medication errors (MEs) are a major cause of preventable patient harm worldwide. Perception of medication safety and of reporting systems among future and current healthcare workers influences detection, reporting and prevention of MEs.
Objective: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions regarding medication errors and medication-error reporting systems among MBBS students/interns, nursing students, and paramedical staff in three tertiary hospitals in India.
Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study using a structured 15-item Likert questionnaire nowledge/Attitude/Practice + perception of reporting systems). Sample: 100 MBBS students/interns, 50 nursing students, 100 paramedical staff. Data analysed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal–Wallis test for group comparisons, and chi-square for categorical variables.
Results: Overall mean knowledge score (possible 0–40): MBBS 29.4 ± 4.6, Nursing 25.6 ± 5.3, Paramedical 23.8 ± 6.0 (p < 0.001). 62% agreed that MEs are underreported; 74% felt fear of blame was a major barrier to reporting; 68% supported anonymous reporting. Only 34% reported familiarity with institutional reporting forms. MBBS students demonstrated significantly higher willingness to report near misses than other groups (p=0.02).
Conclusion: Gaps exist in knowledge and in confidence toward reporting systems — especially among nursing students and paramedical staff. Interventions (training, simplified anonymous reporting, non-punitive culture) are recommended to increase reporting and reduce medication errors.
