Journal Article

Patient safety education in undergraduate medical education through a global lens: a scoping review

Aldardeir, Njoud, Jones, Linda, Abdullah, Qabirul Karan

2025

Overview

Background Patient safety, an organizing framework to minimize risks and harm to patients in healthcare delivery, is broadly accepted as a crucial component of global undergraduate curricula. The incorporation of Patient Safety Education (PSE) into medical curricula, as suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO) can be challenging and has been partially and inconsistently applied. Factors such as densely packed curricula, gaps in the evidence-base, under-prepared faculty, and low levels of organizational support have influenced implementation. This review highlights teaching and learning evidence relevant for such integration of PSE into undergraduate medical education and considers variations in educational advancement across different regions referred to as WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic) and Non-WEIRD countries. Methods We followed the JBI protocol for undertaking scoping reviews to identify evidence-based gaps and recommend further research supporting integration of PSE into undergraduate curricula. Using PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, CINAHL and Cochrane library, 720 papers, from 2013 to 2023, were identified. Screening of titles and abstracts of 61 studies of PSE in undergraduate medical programs, 28 articles met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive statistical and thematic analysis for data extraction about curriculum design, learning and teaching interventions was conducted. Results Findings showed 39% of 28 papers reviewed originated in European region, and 36% from the Americas. Over half (57%) of the selected studies used quantitative methods of analysis, 37.4% were mixed methods, and only 3.5% used qualitative approaches. A variety of methods were used including interactive (21.4%), experiential (14.3%) and technology-enhanced (17.8%) pedagogic strategies. The WHO curriculum guides, and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) were the common sources shaping the content of the interventions. Four themes were identified, cultural and contextual considerations; curriculum structure/session design; student engagement/ application; leadership support and faculty training. Conclusions Most publications and discourses emerged from WEIRD countries. Whilst outlining a range of pedagogical methods and curricular design, few explicitly referenced educational theories or addressed faculty development needs. Greater attention to cultural perspectives, local adaptation, efficacy of implementation strategies is needed globally. Research into longitudinal studies and impact on educational institutions will aid our understanding of how to promote, create and evaluate PSE across diverse countries. Clinical trial number Not applicable.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Collaboration / Computer Software Reviews / Cooperative Learning / Curricula / Curriculum / Curriculum Design / Curriculum Guides / Data Analysis / Education / Education reform / Education, Medical, Undergraduate - methods / Education, Medical, Undergraduate - organization & administration / Educational aspects / Educational Research / Educational Strategies / Educational Theories / Evidence Based Practice / Global differences in patient safety education / Global Health / Graduate Medical Education / Health Occupations / Humans / Information Seeking / Instructional Improvement / Integrated Curriculum / International aspects / Learning / Medical curriculum integration / Medical Education / Medical errors / Medical schools / Medical students / Medical teaching / Medicine / Meta Analysis / Patient Safety / Patients / Pilot projects / Professions / Qualitative research / Safety / Safety Education / Safety training / Scientific and Technical Information / Search Strategies / Teaching / Teaching Methods / Theory of Medicine/Bioethics / Transportation / Undergraduate medical education / Undergraduate Study