Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Patient Safety Culture Among Nursing Students: Impact of an Interactive Educational Methodology in a Tertiary-level Hospital.
TL;DR
Interactive training during clinical placements was associated with limited improvements in self-reported error recognition and openness in communication, and further research is needed to determine whether these effects translate into safer clinical practice.
Abstract
Objectives
Promoting a culture of patient safety is essential in nursing education to ensure high-quality care and professional accountability. However, the use of practical, interactive approaches, especially during clinical placements, remains underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of an interactive educational methodology on nursing students´ self-reported knowledge and attitudes towards patient safety culture during clinical placements.
Methods
A pre-post quasi-experimental study was conducted among nursing students during clinical placements at a tertiary hospital. The Latino Student Patient Safety Questionnaire was administered before a structured, interactive training program incorporating case-based learning, debates, and gamification, and again after completion of both the training and the 8-week clinical placement. Five dimensions were assessed: openness in communication, proactive attitude toward risk prevention, error awareness, understanding of human factors, and system complexity/interrelationships.
Results
A total of 543 nursing students participated (84% female; 64% in their final year), of whom 64% completed the follow-up. The baseline mean±SD patient safety score was 3.5 (0.4). Proactive attitude and understanding of human factors were rated highest, while error awareness and interdisciplinary relationships scored lowest. No significant change was observed in the overall score (mean difference=0.0; 95% CI: -0.1 to 0.1). Improvements were found in openness in communication (mean difference=0.4; 95% CI: 0.3-0.5) and error awareness (mean difference=0.3; 95% CI: 0.1-0.4).
Conclusions
Interactive training during clinical placements was associated with limited improvements in self-reported error recognition and openness in communication. Further research is needed to determine whether these effects translate into safer clinical practice.