December 2, 2009

prescribing errors – is it safe to let junior doctors prescribe drugs?

Speakers:
Prof Peter Rubin, Professor of Therapeutics, University of Nottingham and Chair of the GMC
Prof Tim Dornan, Professor of Medicine and Clinical Education, University of Manchester
Dr Penny Lewis, Post-doctoral Research Associate, University of Manchester

Research commissioned by the General Medical Council has explored the causes of prescribing errors made by first year foundation trainee (FY1) doctors, following on from much speculation and media attention over error rates and the impact on patient safety. The research focuses on the interplay between doctors’ educational backgrounds and factors in their practice environments. Evidence-based recommendations have been made to improve patient safety, and experts in this area came to the SMC to discuss the research and its findings, and the recommendations for reducing prescriptions errors in hospitals.