Moving on from patient safety incidents: a qualitative study exploring GP perspectives in England (7 June 2026)

Summary

Patient safety incidents (PSIs), defined as unintended or unexpected events that could have or did lead to patient harm, can have profound effects on general practitioners (GPs). Understanding how GPs experience and recover from PSIs is important for workforce wellbeing and patient safety in primary care.

The aim of this study was to explore how GPs experience PSIs, how they move on, and how they use available support.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 GPs. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Three themes were generated: personal and professional consequences, recovery and learning processes, and barriers to healing. GPs described emotional responses, including guilt, self-doubt, and fear of reputational or regulatory consequences. Peer support was valued, but access to structured support was limited. Formal investigations were experienced as distressing and compounded emotional impact. Recovery and learning were facilitated by empathetic, systems-focused cultures, protected time for reflection, and structured opportunities to learn from incidents.

Findings highlight importance of compassionate, non-punitive support systems and psychologically safe environments to enable recovery and promote learning.