Concealing Colleagues’ Medical Errors by Physicians: Ethical and Legal Challenges, Responsibility, and Consequences

The concealment of colleagues’ medical errors raises ethical and legal debates in healthcare. This study aimed to analyze these aspects and offer recommendations for medical practice. The research used PubMed, Google Scholar, and legal documents, applying content analysis and comparative legal methods. Findings showed that error concealment reduces patient trust, lowers care quality, and increases litigation risks. The importance of fostering an open culture to prevent error concealment was confirmed. Recommendations include monitoring and supporting physicians in error acknowledgment. Conclusions highlight the need for transparency to enhance patient safety.