The Human Side of Medication Errors: Perspectives of Healthcare Professionals and Patients

Background: Medication errors, defined as preventable events that may lead to inappropriate medication use or patient harm, remain a persistent global challenge contributing to adverse drug events, increased morbidity, and escalating healthcare costs. While prior research has primarily examined system-level and technological factors, limited attention has been given to the emotional and experiential dimensions influencing medication error occurrence and reporting. Objective: This study aimed to investigate public awareness, attitudes, and experiences related to medication errors, with a particular focus on the perceived role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing medication safety. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed using a structured, self-administered online questionnaire. A total of 501 valid responses were collected from adult residents in Saudi Arabia. The survey included items on demographics, knowledge of medication errors, attitudes toward AI in pharmacy practice, and preventive behaviors. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. Results: Approximately 79.9% of respondents reported awareness of medication errors, though 75.7% relied on informal online sources for information. While 47.6% strongly believed AI could improve dispensing accuracy, concerns regarding data privacy, reliability, and job displacement were noted. Logistic regression indicated a strong association between pro-AI attitudes and willingness to adopt AI, though model convergence was limited due to polarized responses. Conclusion: Findings highlight the necessity of fostering non-punitive reporting cultures, strengthening digital health literacy, and carefully integrating AI into pharmacy practice. These measures are critical to enhancing patient safety and align with national healthcare transformation goals, including Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.