Association Between Perceived Medical Errors and Suicidal Ideation Among Chinese Medical Staff: The Mediating Effect of Depressive Symptoms

Frontiers in Medicine

article

Zhen Wei¹  Yifan Wang¹  Shijun Yang¹  Long Sun¹ 

[1] Centre for Health Management and Policy Research, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University;NHC Key Lab of Health Economics and Policy Research, Shandong University

关键词: perceived medical errors;    suicidal ideation;    depressive symptoms;    medical staff;    cross-sectional study;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fmed.2022.807006

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Both medical errors and suicidal behaviors are important problems for medical staff. Although the association between them was implied in previous studies, their association has not been built until now. In this study, the first aim was to build the association between perceived medical errors and suicidal ideation, and we also want to explore the mediating role of depression in the association between perceived medical errors and suicidal ideation among Chinese medical staff. In this study, we interviewed 3,338 medical staff in Chinese general hospitals. Questions about suicidal ideation (SI) and perceived medical errors were interviewed for medical staff. Depressive symptoms were evaluated by the Chinese version of Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Social-demographic and occupation-related variables were also assessed in the data collection. This study found that the prevalence of suicidal ideation among medical staff was 9%. After the adjustment for controlling variables, suicidal ideation was significantly associated with a higher level of depression (OR = 1.10, p < 0.001) and perceived medical errors (OR = 2.41, p < 0.001). The other associated factors were female (OR = 2.21, p < 0.001), religious belief (OR = 2.66, p < 0.001), and weekly work hours (OR = 1.02 p < 0.001). The mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the association between perceived medical errors and suicidal ideation was also supported in this study, and it can explain the 38.73% of the total effects of the perceived medical errors on suicidal ideation. The medical staff, with perceived medical errors, were in higher risk of suicidal ideation, and depressive symptoms can partially mediate the association between perceived medical errors and suicidal ideation. For the medical staff who are experiencing medical errors, some scanning on their suicidal ideation and depressive symptoms are necessary to promote their mental health.

【 授权许可】

CC BY