Awareness and Understanding of Medical Negligence Among Medical Interns of a Tertiary Care Center in South West Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Introduction - Medical negligence poses significant challenges in India, driven by increasing patient awareness and heightened legal accountability. Despite their direct patient care responsibilities, medical interns often lack sufficient legal understanding. This study evaluated the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding medical negligence among interns in South West Maharashtra, India, highlighting the need for structured medico-legal education in medical training.

Materials and methods- A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 138 medical interns at a tertiary care center, south-west, Maharashtra (February–December 2022). Data was collected using a validated tool covering knowledge, attitudes, and practices, and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. Ethical approval was obtained for this study. Associations were assessed using chi-square and t-tests, with significance set at p-value <0.05.

Result- Out of 148 interns, 138 responded (93.2%). Most showed moderate knowledge (mean score 6.2±1.8), with better awareness among those with longer internship duration (p=0.04). While 91.3% supported medico-legal training, only 41.3% had received formal instruction. The attitudes of the respondents were generally responsible, with 95.7% practicing proper consent. However, only 44.9% had read medico-legal guidelines. A strong willingness (86.2%) to report negligence was noted, highlighting ethical awareness despite knowledge-practice gaps. A statistically significant difference was observed in knowledge scores based on internship duration.

Conclusion- Medical interns showed moderate knowledge, positive attitudes, and variable practices regarding medical negligence. Gaps in legal literacy and procedural confidence highlight the need for structured medico-legal education, emphasizing practical training, documentation, and patient rights to ensure ethically responsible and legally informed clinical practice.