Defining Patient Safety: a Student Perspective.

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Patient Safety Research
• Qualitative Research Methods

Background:

• Patient safety is a critical component of undergraduate medical training.
• Curricula often lag behind mandates, impacting patient safety education.
• Understanding student perspectives is key to improving curriculum design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore medical students' views on patient safety.
• To identify student needs for patient safety education.
• To inform future curriculum redesign for improved patient safety training.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative approach using focus groups with 2nd and 4th-year medical students.
• Explored students' conceptualization, current education, and future preferences.
• Thematic analysis of focus group transcripts.

Main Results:

• Identified 13 themes including conceptual ambiguity, healthcare culture, and specific safety topics (technical/non-technical skills).
• Students recognized technical competence more than non-technical skills.
• Students desired practical relevance, clearer definitions, and integrated safety topics.

Conclusions:

• Students are eager to learn about patient safety but feel powerless.
• Educators must provide a clear definition of patient safety.
• The theory-practice gap significantly influences student attitudes toward safety.