Common Practical Errors among Family Physicians and Contributing Factors in Iraq

Abstract: Medical errors are a critical concern in family practice, with significant implications for patient safety. Understanding the common practical errors and their causes is essential for improving healthcare quality. This study aims to investigate the common practical errors among family doctors and the contributing factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 family doctors who work at primary health care centers in Iraq between 2nd of January 2024 to 1st of July 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, including sections on demographic information, frequency of errors such as (misdiagnosis, prescription errors and documentation errors), and contributing factors such as (workload and time pressure, fatigue and sleep deprivation and lack of proper training or education). Responses were analyzed using SPSS version 26. The most common errors identified were related to documentation errors (25.3%). Factors contributing to these errors included workload (89.3%), sleep deprivation (80%), burnout (77%), and organizational culture (77.3%). Frequency were found between misdiagnosis and high workloads, sleep deprivation, training, communication skills, technology, and personal stress. We also found frequency between prescription errors and high workloads, sleep deprivation, training, communication skills, and technology. We also found frequency between poor hand hygiene with training, communication, technology, personal stress, and an organizational culture that prioritizes efficiency over safety. Frequent medical errors were noted in primary care among family physician in Iraq. The most common errors identified were related to documentation errors. The study highlighted how factors like workload, fatigue and sleep deprivation ,burnout, and organization culture affect patient care, by identifying common causes of errors made by family physicians.