Perceptions of Patient Safety Competence Using the Modified Version of the Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSS) Instrument Among Dental Students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Aim To investigate dental students’ self-reported confidence in learning about various domains of patient safety during their clinical training years. Methods The Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSS) was distributed to the fourth- and fifth-year undergraduate students, interns and postgraduate dental students. The survey explores how the seven domains of the Canadian Patient Safety Institute Safety Competencies Framework and wider cases of patient safety issues are presented in dental education, as well as participants’ self-reported comfortability regarding revealing about patient safety issues. A comparison of the patient safety domains scores were assessed through learning scenarios (classroom and clinical), gender, level of study and type of institution. Results Out of 409 participants, 359 undergraduate dental students and 131 postgraduate dental students responded to the survey. Irrespective of the groups, all dental students were most confident regarding their learning aspects about skills pertaining to clinical safety and effective communication and least confident in learning related to managing safety risks. All the patient safety factors irrespective of the scenario, scored above 75% and thus interpreted as good competence. Statistically significant differences were reported among the genders in the classroom scenario for learning about communicating effectively with the patients regarding patient safety issues (p < 0.05). Male dental students, undergraduates and those in the private institution were significantly less confident about recognizing and reporting to immediate risks in the clinical scenario compared to their respective counterparts (p < 0.05). Conclusion Based on the results, the dental students are quite confident with regard to the learning aspects of clinical patient safety, nevertheless, their confidence in learning certain patient safety aspects warrants further improvement. This implies a need to address the impact of regular interventions, extra motivation and repeated mentoring in both the classroom and clinical scenarios on improving dental students’ confidence about patient safety.

Analysis of Pharmacy Students' Learning in Clinical Pharmacy During Internship

“…Halawany [18] carried out a study on perceptions of patient safety using a version of the Health Professional in Patient Safety Survey (H-PESS) instrument, proposing a Likert scale to assess patient safety learning in Saudi Arabian dental students and postgraduates. The authors assessed 409 participants, who scored above 75% in all the patient safety factors studied, with an emphasis on removing risks in the clinical environment, which scored 84.7 ± 16 points, demonstrating that there was a gain after the intervention proposed by the authors, as well as this research.…”

“…The actions aimed at Target 3 are considered as a work sector, where there is an active search for Adverse Drug Reactions, as well as auditing the correct administration of medicines with the nursing team [18].…”

Assessment of the Satisfaction of Patients Treated by Undergraduate Dental Students at a Saudi Government University: A Cross Sectional Study [Letter]

“…Patient safety and satisfaction are highly dependent on the skills and effective communication possessed by undergraduate dental students, both of these things will help them in overcoming the impact of routine service interventions, patient motivation, and repeated assistance in dental patient care. 2 …”

“…Patient safety and satisfaction are highly dependent on the skills and effective communication possessed by undergraduate dental students, both of these things will help them in overcoming the impact of routine service interventions, patient motivation, and repeated assistance in dental patient care. 2 The study conducted by Ruwaida Z Alshali et al used a cross-sectional study with an online questionnaire containing demographic and general data, types of dental problems, types of dental treatment, and satisfaction assessments based on the Dental Satisfaction Questionnaire. 1 The instruments used were in accordance with the objectives to be achieved However, we would like to recommend that before assessing patient satisfaction, it is necessary to evaluate the oral health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of final semester dental students who will be involved in this research because it is directly related to patient satisfaction.…”