Integrating patient safety into pre-registration education: A blog by Ian Fearnley

Summary

Patient safety and high-quality care is the foundation of healthcare delivery, aimed at minimising risks, errors and harm to patients. It is important for students in their pre-registration education to understand that the principles of patient safety, and delivering safe and high-quality care, is not merely an academic requirement but a professional and ethical duty. By embedding patient safety into the core of pre-registration learning, educational establishments can ensure that the healthcare professionals of the future are equipped with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to deliver high-quality, safe and effective care.

Content

The guiding principles of effective patient safety encompasses a wide range of practices, including the prevention of medical errors, learning from those errors, effective communication among healthcare teams and fostering a culture that has the patient’s wellbeing at its heart. Medical errors, which often range from diagnostic inaccuracies to medication mistakes, with equal deviations of harm, are a leading cause of preventable harm worldwide. Teaching students early in their careers to recognise and mitigate these risks is essential for building a resilient healthcare system with deep-rooted patient safety practices at its heart.

Learning ‘on the shop floor’ should never be underestimated for its importance in pre-registration learning. Classroom and simulation-based learning both provide a safe environment for students to practice procedures and decision-making without risking patient safety. Life-like mannequins and virtual reality tools imitate the real-world scenarios, enabling pre-registration students to gain confidence and competence in handling complex situations.

The importance of collaborative learning experiences between all healthcare professional students fosters teamwork and communication. Patient safety often hinges on effective partnerships, as errors can occur when information is not adequately shared among team members. By ensuring patient safety is an integral part of any pre-registration programme enables the students to develop a mutual respect and understanding of other healthcare professionals’ roles and the impact they have in the delivery of safe and effective patient care.

Pre-registration education highlights the development of critical thinking skills. Encouraging students to explore case studies, reflect on errors and propose solutions nurtures a proactive approach to patient safety. The educational programme must provide opportunities to explore the ethical principles and legal responsibilities underpinning patient care, ensuring students understand the gravity of their actions and that accountability and transparency are integral to a culture of safety.

Educators and patient safety specialists play a pivotal role in cultivating an environment where patient safety is a shared priority. Open and supportive discussions about errors, near misses and system failures help normalise the learning process and reduce stigma. Encouraging students to report, reflect and learn from near-misses and mistakes fosters a mindset focused on continuous improvement rather than blame.

Despite its obvious importance, integrating patient safety into pre-registration learning can be challenging. Factors such as limited resources, time constraints and varying levels of expertise may hinder comprehensive training. However, advancements in technology and the growing recognition of patient safety’s importance provide opportunities for innovative approaches. Online modules, augmented reality, and mentorship and working placements within the local governance/quality teams can supplement traditional teaching methods.

It is important that influential bodies such as the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), General Medical Council (GMC), Health and Care Professions Council (HPCP) and other accreditation bodies ensure that patient safety within pre-registration education is an integral part and meets rigorous standards. In mandating specific competencies and assessments related to patient safety, these entities hold institutions accountable for producing competent healthcare providers.

The integration of patient safety into pre-registration education is vital for preparing future healthcare professionals to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare.

By prioritising safety at the earliest stages of education, institutions not only protect patients but also empower students to become confident, ethical and effective practitioners. In an era where the stakes are higher than ever, investing in patient safety education is an investment in the future of healthcare itself.

About the Author

Ian is a Registered Nurse with nearly 30 years’ experience working clinically and within the governance and patient safety arena. He has held various roles such as Director of Clinical Governance and Chief Nurse. Ian is passionate about patient safety and excellent quality of care. He has led on numerous initiatives, both locally and nationally aiming to improve the quality and safety of healthcare.