The DNA damage response and patient safety: engaging our molecular biology-oriented colleagues

The imperative to improve patient safety is clear. Biomedical scientists, who account for a large proportion of medical school faculty, and clinicians tend to speak different languages. Biological systems are remarkable for their high robustness, flexibility, and efficiency. Biomedical scientists possess a profound understanding of the complex mechanisms that govern organisms. Their insights may inform the design of safer health care systems. We propose a model to assist in bi-directional communication between these disciplines. We use the principles and mechanisms of the DNA damage response to describe the central concepts of safety science and discuss similarities and differences between the systems of DNA repair and organizational approaches to safety in health care. We suggest that such biomedical scientists can and should be engaged in the effort to bring education about patient safety management into the medical school curriculum and to make patient care safer.