A multi-tiered approach to safety education

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Patient Safety
• Medical Training

Background:

• The World Health Organization advocates for early patient safety education for all health professions students.
• A need exists to cultivate future leaders in patient safety beyond foundational undergraduate training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a tiered approach to patient safety education.
• To outline strategies for developing future leaders in patient safety.

Main Methods:

• The New South Wales Clinical Excellence Commission (CEC) implemented interactive patient safety teaching across medical, nursing, and allied health undergraduate programs.
• CEC offers postgraduate patient safety teaching and electives for trainee specialists to identify and mentor future leaders.

Main Results:

• A tiered educational model was established, integrating patient safety into undergraduate curricula for diverse health professions.
• Postgraduate pathways were developed to nurture leadership in patient safety among medical graduates and specialists.

Conclusions:

• Comprehensive patient safety education for all health students, coupled with specialized leadership development, enhances the field.
• This approach supports motivated students' continuous professional growth in patient safety from early postgraduate years onwards.