Exploring the potential impact of medical errors research on population health

Mabel Adelvia Sarquis Rivera, David A Hernandez-Paez, Johana Galván-Barrios, Ernesto Barceló-Martinez, Alexis Rafael Narvaez-Rojas and Ivan David Lozada-Martinez

PLOS ONE, 2026, vol. 21, issue 3, 1-20

Abstract: 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.

Date: 2026
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:plo:pone00:0340153

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0340153

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