Medical Errors are NOT the Third Leading Cause of Death (and why that matters) | Ep478
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In this episode, host Dr. Bradley Block welcomes Jonathan Jarry to tackle the persistent myth that medical error is the third leading cause of death in the US. Jarry traces the claim to a 2000 Institute of Medicine report and a 2016 BMJ paper co-authored by Dr. Marty Makary, exposing their flawed extrapolations from small, non-representative studies. He highlights issues like erroneous assumptions, small sample sizes, and the challenge of determining causality in deaths linked to errors. Jarry explains how this inflated statistic fuels fear, drives patients toward unproven alternative treatments, and erodes trust in healthcare. He offers practical ways to push back against the myth while acknowledging the need for improved patient safety systems. This episode is essential for healthcare professionals and patients seeking clarity on medical errors and their true impact.
Three Actionable Takeaways
- Challenge the Statistic with Facts – When confronted with the claim that medical error is the third leading cause of death, explain that it stems from flawed extrapolations (e.g., 62% of hospital deaths attributed to errors is unrealistic) and cite more reliable estimates (0.6%–5% of hospital deaths).
- Promote Patient Safety Transparently – Acknowledge medical errors as a real issue but emphasize ongoing efforts to improve safety, like rigorous error reporting systems, to maintain trust without dismissing legitimate concerns.
- Educate on Context – Share that small, non-representative studies (e.g., Medicare patients or regional data) were misused to inflate error rates, encouraging patients to seek evidence-based care rather than unproven alternatives.
About the Show
Succeed In Medicine covers patient interactions, burnout, career growth, personal finance, and more. If you're tired of dull medical lectures, tune in for real-world lessons we should have learned in med school!
About the Guest
Jonathan Jarry is a science communicator with McGill University’s Office for Science and Society (OSS), dedicated to separating sense from nonsense in science. With a background in clinical lab work and podcasting, he tackles pseudoscience and misinformation, making complex topics accessible. His work at OSS, established in 1999, focuses on debunking myths and promoting evidence-based understanding.
Website: mcgill.ca/oss
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jonathanjarry.bsky.social
About the host:
Dr. Bradley Block – Dr. Bradley Block is a board-certified otolaryngologist at ENT and Allergy Associates in Garden City, NY. He specializes in adult and pediatric ENT, with interests in sinusitis and obstructive sleep apnea. Dr. Block also hosts The Succeed In Medicine podcast, focusing on personal and professional development for physicians
Want to be a guest?
Email Brad at brad@physiciansguidetodoctoring.com or visit www.phys
