Strengthening patient safety competencies among physician interns through a structured quality and safety course

Patient safety is a fundamental principle of healthcare, yet adverse events remain a major cause of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Human error is a leading contributor to these events. Patient safety education has been shown to improve healthcare providers' knowledge, attitudes, and competencies, but evidence from LMICs remains limited. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a patient safety course implemented among medical interns.

A one-arm quasi-experimental study was conducted among postgraduate medical interns at a private tertiary care hospital. Participants completed a structured Quality and Patient Safety (QPS) module consisting of pre-module assessment, two days of interactive didactic and applied learning sessions, and a post-module assessment. Quantitative data were analysed using paired statistical tests, while qualitative reflections underwent thematic analysis.

A total of 166 medical interns participated, most without prior patient safety training. The intervention led to significant improvements in knowledge test scores, systems thinking, and knowledge efficacy across all cohorts (p < 0.001). Gains were particularly pronounced among interns without previous training. Qualitative reflections highlighted improved confidence, teamwork, and systems-oriented perspectives.

This study provides evidence that a structured patient safety course introduced into the intern's curriculum significantly increases knowledge, systems thinking and knowledge efficacy regardless of previous patient safety education exposure. The findings support that course should be formally included for early career clinical staff in LMICs where preventable harms remain a major patient safety concern.