Why We Make Medical Errors

Most medical errors are not procedural mistakes or due to a lack of knowledge, but instead are caused by "faulty thinking," known as “cognitive errors.” A growing number of patient safety experts believe the key to preventing these “cognitive errors” in medicine lies in self-awareness and a deeper understanding of the psychology of how we make decisions. Despite evidence-based guidelines, protocols, and algorithms becoming available, why have patient deaths due to medical error increased?

About Our Guest

Dr. Marjorie Stiegler received her medical degree from Emory University and her residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital. Before joining the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she was a faculty member at UCLA, where she also completed a fellowship in medical education. At UNC, she is the director and co-founder of CAPSEL, and is a member of the Resident Education Committee and Patient Safety/Quality Improvement Committee.

In addition to being a recipient of the prestigious Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research grant, and serving on national committees such as the American Society of Anesthesiologists Patient Safety and Education Committee, among others, she speaks widely on topics including patient safety, simulation, and medical decision-making.