Perceptions of Human Factors and patient safety education in undergraduate healthcare curricula: a pharmacy perspective

Abstract

Abstract Introduction A recent systematic review identified a lack of formal patient safety (PS) education in undergraduate healthcare curricula1. Gaps were also identified in relation to teaching of Human Factors (HF) in this context. Aim This qualitative study aimed to examine the perceptions of School of Pharmacy faculty at an Irish university relating to PS/HF in undergraduate healthcare education. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven School of Pharmacy faculty at an Irish university. Findings from a recent systematic review were used to inform research and interview questions.[1] Sampling was purposive and included lecturers from the disciplines of clinical pharmacy and pharmaceutics. Interviews were conducted, either in person or virtually, then transcribed and anonymised. Reflexive thematic analysis (TA) was chosen as the method of analysis, [2] conducted by the first author with input from the wider research team. Within the reflexive piece of this work was the drive to be informed by the lived experience of participants. In alignment with the principles of reflexive TA, an iterative approach was taken to data collection and analysis.[2] This approach informed a sample size which facilitated in-depth exploration of the topic. Results Seven interviews were conducted, and six key themes were derived from the analysis. These are presented in Table 1 along with the identified subthemes. Conclusion This study demonstrates gaps relating to HF/PS teaching in undergraduate pharmacy education in the Irish context. Findings of this study indicate that much PS learning is implicit and occurs while students are on clinical placement. Lack of synergy between the academic and clinical settings was identified as a gap. Interprofessional education was identified as a platform which may help bridge this gap. In agreement with previously published literature, there is a need for robust competency frameworks to underpin safety content.[1] These findings will inform future initiatives to develop HF and PS competency in undergraduate healthcare education. A limitation of this research is that all data were collected at a single university. A strength is that this study captures the lived experience of PS education from the perspective of academic staff at an Irish school of pharmacy which in 2015 made the transition to a new MPharm programme.