Аннотация
The prevention of medical errors is more effective when we fully understand the problem and its context. The purpose of the publication is to discuss the connection of the problem and medical science, and to recall other leading aspects of medical malpractice theory. Materials and methods. Knowledge on the problem of medical errors is still insufficiently systematized and extended enough. Working in this direction may be more appropriate nowadays than studying the specific issues of the problems by specific evidentiary methods. So, the material for this paper was based on literature sources, own observations and discussion of the problem on professional websites. The scientific analysis was carried out by general logical and axiomatic methods. Conclusions on the aspects of the problem given in the article first of all need understanding of their content rather than confirmation. Results. Each failure of the diagnosis and treatment process must be analyzed. A scientific approach makes failure analysis effective. Practice improves on analysis, and analysis is at the heart of the science. Irrational attitude to mistakes can slow down the development of the science. Modern medicine is developing in the direction of identifying and controlling the individual characteristics of each patient. It is the unknown and uncontrolled individual features that often cause diagnostic and curative errors. The key terms such as “mistake”, “guilt”, “punishment”, “experience” must be differentiated into subtypes with different meanings, so that when they are used during a discussion, we can correctly understand each other. As a doctor’s work experience increases, the structure of the causes of his errors also changes, which is shown in specific examples. Conclusion. Error analysis not only promotes good practice, but also stimulates the development of the medical science. It was necessary to protect doctors from unjust accusations, but it was more important to expose them to errors and teach them how to deal with their own and others’ mistakes. Understanding mistakes is the best way to prevent it.