The Impact of Medical Error Communication on Preserving Trust: A Systematic Review

Introduction: Medical errors require effective communication strategies to mitigate harm and preserve the integrity of the relationship between professionals and patients. Objective: To present the relationship between the use of communication strategies and the maintenance of trust in healthcare professionals by patients and families affected by medical errors. Methods: This is a systematic review, conducted between April and May 2026, following the PICO strategy and the PRISMA flowchart for article selection. The search was conducted in the BVS, PubMed, and Cochrane databases, including full-text and free articles in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, from 2020 to 2026, using the combination (“communication” OR “communication”) AND (“medical errors” OR “medical errors”) AND (“patients” OR “patients”) AND (“family” OR “family”). Results: Six articles were selected, encompassing various study designs. The main strategies identified for communicating errors were institutional transparency programs and open disclosure, characterized as an honest and patient-centered approach, prioritizing immediate information about what happened, apologies, and support for physical or emotional harm. Video assessment tools can assist in training these skills, although obstacles such as the moral rationalization of error and the lack of practical application of transparency policies persist. Conclusion: There is a direct relationship between open communication—based on honest and immediate communication—and increased patient trust. Conversely, the lack of these elements weakens the clinical bond, fostering negative perceptions and emotions towards professionals.