Residents' Perspectives on Patient Safety in University and Community Teaching Hospitals

Patient safety is an important concept in resident education. To date, few studies have assessed resident perceptions of patient safety across different specialties.

The study explored residents' views on patient safety across the specialties of internal medicine, general surgery, and diagnostic radiology, focusing on common themes and differences.

In fall 2012, interviews of small groups of senior residents in internal medicine, general surgery, and diagnostic radiology were conducted at 3 academic medical centers and 3 community teaching hospitals in 3 major US metropolitan areas. In total, 33 residents were interviewed. Interviews used interactive discussion to explore multiple facets of patient safety.

Residents identified lack of information, common errors, volume and acuity of patients, and inadequate supervision as major risks to patient safety. Specific threats to patient safety included communication problems, transitions of care, information technology interface issues, time constraints, and work flow. Residents disclosed that reporting safety issues was viewed as burdensome and carrying some degree of risk. There was variability as to whether residents would report safety threats they encountered.

Residents are aware of threats to patient safety and have a unique perspective compared with other health care professionals. Transitions of care and communication problems were the most common safety threats identified by the residents interviewed.