Miguel A. Fernández-Ortega, Centro de Investigación en Políticas, Población y Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Karina Robles-Rivera, Departamento de Investigación, Secretaría de Enseñanza Clínica, Internado Médico y Servicio Social, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Alondra I. Salmero-Alcantara, Centro de Investigación en Políticas, Población y Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Mario R. González-Niño, Centro de Investigación en Políticas, Población y Salud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Czeslaw K. Lugowski-Rivero, Unidad de Estudios de Posgrado, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
Ana P. Ramírez-Rioja, Centro de Salud «Dr. José Castro Villagrana», Secretaría de Seguridad Pública de la Ciudad de México (SSPCDMX); Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Ciudad de México, México
Background: Medical errors represent a major global public health concern. Workplace conditions, mental health factors, and structural aspects of residency training may influence medical residents’ error reporting. Objectives: The objective of the study was to identify factors associated with self-reported medical errors among medical residents during clinical practice. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional, multicenter study conducted with 16,229 residents from 82 medical specialties enrolled in National Autonomous University of Mexico-affiliated residency programs across multiple hospital-based training sites in Mexico. A structured, 30-item online questionnaire was administered following the annual academic examination. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with reporting medical errors, including stratified analyses by specialty type and depression severity. Results: Overall, 77% of residents reported having committed at least one medical error. Moderate-to-severe depressive symptoms, extended work hours, substance use, and exposure to workplace violence were independently associated with higher odds of reporting errors. Although medical specialties showed the highest absolute frequency of reported errors, adjusted analyses indicated higher odds in surgical specialties. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of residents reported committing medical errors during training. Multiple personal and workplace factors were associated with error reporting. These findings underscore the importance of addressing modifiable structural and mental health factors within residency programs.
Keywords: Medical error. Medical residency. Depression. Medical specialization. Patient safety. Surgical specialties.