A Pilot Study on Developing a Patient Safety Curriculum Using the Consensus Workshop Method

Abstract

Patient safety is achieved through systematic improvement based on the knowledge and willingness of medical professionals. A systematic longitudinal curriculum for patient safety is essential to prepare medical students and professionals. The purpose of this article is to introduce our experience with a ‘workshop for developing a patient safety curriculum’ and to compare the results with previous studies. The workshop comprising 15 medical professors and patient safety experts met for 2 days. The Consensus Workshop method was applied, collecting opinions from all of the members and reaching consensus through the following stages: context, brainstorm, cluster, name, and resolve. The patient safety curriculum was developed by this method, covering patient safety topics and issues, and teaching and assessment methods. A total of 7 topics were extracted, ‘activities for patient safety, concepts of patient safety, leadership and teamwork, error disclosure, self-management, patient education, policies.’ Issues, teaching methods, and assessment methods were developed for each topic. The patient safety curriculum developed from the workshop was similar to previous curricula developed by other institutions and medical schools. The Consensus Workshop method proved to be an effective approach to developing a patient safety curriculum.