Unveiling the Veil of Silence: Exploring Challenges in Error Reporting among Operating Room Interns

Background: Medical errors are particularly significant in the operating room due to their potential to critically affect patient care. For students, one of the key challenges is learning how to identify and report these errors during treatment and understanding their potential consequences. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the challenges faced by the operating room interns in reporting medical errors. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a content analysis approach from March to June 2024 in the operating theaters of teaching hospitals affiliated with Hamadan University of Medical Sciences in Hamadan, Iran. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with ten operating room interns, selected via purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis, following the methodology outlined by Graneheim and Lundman. Results: Two main themes emerged from the analysis, including personal challenges and organizational barriers. These themes were further divided into five categories, including perceptions of errors, emotional hurdles, structural limitations, educational challenges, and workplace culture. Conclusion: Addressing both personal and organizational challenges in error reporting is essential for improving patient safety outcomes. Fostering a culture of open communication and enhancing educational frameworks can empower operating room interns to actively participate in error reporting, thereby improving the overall quality of patient care.