1Department of Surgery, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea. 2Department of Neurosurgery, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea. 3Department of Anesthesiology, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea. 4Department of Laboratory Medicine, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea. 5Department of Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
Received: April 21, 2008; Accepted: July 25, 2008.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To draw attention to patient safety and increase its awareness among medical students, we developed a program that teaches patient safety based on common medical error cases. The aim of this study is to introduce this program and improve student receptivity to it. METHODS: As part of the "Patient, Doctor, and Society" course, third-year medical students participated in 8 hours of a medical error education program. Students discussed recent, typical medical lawsuits that were generated from internal medicine, surgery, pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, neurosurgery, medication, anesthesia, and blood transfusion cases. Students weighed these issues in small groups, using various discussion methods. After finishing the program, students completed a course evaluation questionnaire.
RESULTS: The students rated this program as satisfactory, highly motivating, and helpful in preparing their future practices. They responded that although the cases were interesting, some were difficult. They stated that the small group discussion techniques encouraged them to take active part in the discussion and to consider the cases more deeply. CONCLUSION: Small group discussion of medical error cases is an effective method for students to study patient safety.
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