Changing medical student attitudes to patient safety: a multicentre study

Background: Although patient safety is becoming widely taught in medical schools, its effect has been less rigorously

evaluated. We describe a multicentre study to evaluate student changes in patient safety attitudes using a standardised

instrument, the Attitudes to Patient Safety Questionnaire3 (APSQ3).

Methods: A patient safety training package designed for medical students was delivered in the first year and second

year in four Australian medical schools. It comprises eight face-to-face modules, each of two hours. Seminars start with

an interactive introduction using questions, video and role play, followed by small group break-outs to discuss a

relevant case study. Groups are led by medical school tutors with no prior training in patient safety. Students and

tutors then reassemble to give feedback and reinforce key concepts. Knowledge and attitudes to patient safety

were measured using the APSQ3, delivered prior to safety teaching, at the end of the first and second years and

12 months after teaching ceased.

Results: A significant improvement in attitude over time was demonstrated for four of nine key items measured

by the APSQ3: value of patient safety teaching; danger of long working hours, value of team work and the contribution

patients can make in reducing error. Informal feedback from students was very positive.

Conclusion: We showed persistent, positive learning from a patient safety education intervention 12 months after

teaching finished. Building on the introduction of patient safety teaching into medical schools, pathways for

motivated students such as appropriate electives, option terms and team-based research projects would be of

value.