| Title: |
Exploring the potential impact of medical errors research on population health |
| Authors: |
Sarquis Rivera, Mabel Adelvia; Hernandez-Paez, David A.; Galván-Barrios, Johana; Barceló-Martinez, Ernesto; Narvaez-Rojas, Alexis Rafael; Lozada-Martinez, Ivan David |
| Contributors: |
Abou Chaar, Mohamad K. |
| Source: |
PLOS One ; volume 21, issue 3, page e0340153 ; ISSN 1932-6203 |
| Publisher Information: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS) |
| Publication Year: |
2026 |
| Collection: |
PLOS Publications (via CrossRef) |
| Description: |
Background While most research on medical errors has focused on reducing these events within clinical settings, little is known about whether this scientific research translates into improvements in population-level health or system indicators. This study aimed to explore the potential impact of medical errors research on population health, health system, and research and development indicators. Methods A longitudinal analysis was conducted using global data from 1995 to 2024. Annual publication counts on medical errors were matched with 18 global population and structural indicators across four domains: mortality, health systems, research and development, and financial risk. Countries were stratified into income groups, and associations were analysed using fixed-effects, negative binomial, and hierarchical mixed-effects models. Results Higher research output on medical errors was associated with reductions in neonatal, infant, under-5, and adult mortality, particularly in high-income countries and upper-middle-income countries (UMICs). Significant associations were also found with reduced risk of catastrophic and impoverishing surgical expenditures in UMICs and low- and middle-income countries. Modest links were observed with hospital bed density and intellectual property flows. However, no consistent associations were found in low-income countries or in hierarchical models adjusting for income-level heterogeneity. Conclusions and implications Scientific research on medical errors shows potential to influence key population health- and structural-level indicators, particularly in countries with developing research ecosystems. These findings address a critical knowledge gap by providing quantitative evidence of research relevance beyond academic metrics. Promoting equitable research capacity and translation may enhance the real-world impact of patient safety efforts globally. |
| Document Type: |
article in journal/newspaper |
| Language: |
English |
| DOI: |
10.1371/journal.pone.0340153 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0340153; https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0340153 |
| Rights: |
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.D4B00C82 |
| Database: |
BASE |