A mixed-method concurrent study exploring the importance of patient safety among healthcare professionals from a low-resource setting

Abstract

Objective: To compare the knowledge and attitudes regarding patient safety among medical students and faculty between public and private medical institutions.

Method: The mixed-method concurrent study was conducted from July 2020 to January 2021 at the private-sector Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry, Karachi, and the public-sector Sindh Medical College, Karachi. Data was collected using Attitudes to Patient Safety Questionnaire-III from medical students of either gender from the third to fifth year of the academic programme, and through in-depth interviews with selected students and healthcare professionals at both the institutions. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS 26, while qualitative data was subjected to thematic analysis.

Results: Of the 225 students with mean age 22.6±1.41 years, 116(51.6%) were from the private institution, 149(66.2%) were females, 87(38.7%) were in the fourth year of the academic programme, and 85(37.8%) reported exposure to medical errors in the preceding year. Students from the private institution exhibited significantly more positive attitudes towards patient safety compared to those from the public institution (p<0.05). Qualitative analysis yielded three key themes: “Stances on patient safety”, “Stance on medical errors”, and “Ways to bring about change”.

Conclusion: A more favourable attitude towards patient safety was noted among students at the private-sector institution compared to their counterparts in the public sector. Participants from both the institutions expressed enthusiasm for learning, and advocated the need to integrate patient safety into the medical curriculum.

Key Words: Healthcare professionals, Medical errors, Patient safety culture, Medical students, Perceptions.