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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT07405411

The Prevalence, Causes, and Prevention Strategies of Medical Malpractice in Psychiatric Clinics

Malpractice in psychiatry is the failure of mental health professionals to meet accepted standards of care, resulting in harm to patients. While considered less risky than other specialties, the nature of psychiatry presents unique challenges and legal risks.

This descriptive and cross-sectional study investigated the frequency, influencing factors, and attitudes regarding medical malpractice among psychiatrists, residents, and nurses in psychiatric clinics in Turkey. Data was collected online via snowball sampling.

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Key information

Conditions

Psychiatric Hospitalization Patient Safety

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Faculty of Health Sciences

Bolu, 141000, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

This study was designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional investigation to examine experiences, perceptions, and attitudes related to medical malpractice in psychiatric practice in Turkey. Given the sensitive nature of malpractice-related experiences and the potential reluctance of healthcare professionals to disclose such information, an anonymous online data collection approach was employed. The study targeted healthcare professionals working in inpatient psychiatric settings and aimed to capture real-world experiences related to malpractice, including exposure to malpractice events, perceived contributing factors, and professional attitudes toward malpractice in psychiatric care.

Data were collected using structured, researcher-developed questionnaires administered online. The instruments were designed to assess participants' demographic and professional characteristics, as well as their knowledge, attitudes, and observations regarding malpractice in psychiatric settings. To reduce response bias and encourage participation, questions were framed to focus on observed or experienced malpractice events rather than direct self-attribution. Due to the difficulty of accessing this population and the sensitivity of the topic, a non-probability snowball sampling approach was used. Participants who met the study criteria and consented to participate were invited to complete the online survey, and they were encouraged to share the survey with eligible colleagues. The study aimed to provide an overview of malpractice-related experiences in psychiatric clinics and to identify common themes and influencing factors that may inform future preventive strategies, professional training, and policy development in mental health care.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Working as a psychiatrist, assistant physician, or clinical nurse in any inpatient psychiatric service in Turkey,
  • Having at least one year of experience in a psychiatric clinic
  • Volunteering to participate in the study.

Exclusion criteria

  • Working in a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

  1. malpractice frequency

    Time frame: Baseline

    The frequency of encountering malpractice cases among professionals working in psychiatric clinics

Secondary outcomes

  1. causes of malpractice

    Time frame: Baseline

    Perceptions of professionals working in psychiatric clinics about the causes of malpractice cases

  2. prevention strategies of medical malpractice

    Time frame: Baseline

    Perceptions of professionals working in psychiatric clinics about the prevention strategies of medical malpractice

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Abant Izzet Baysal University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

The Prevalence, Causes, and Prevention Strategies of Medical Malpractice in Psychiatric Clinics: A Descriptive and Correlational Study

Important dates

Study start
2023
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Feb 12, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 13, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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