Patients' Perspectives of Engagement as a Safety Strategy.
Chasity Burrows Walters, Elizabeth A Duthie
PMID 29052666WHAT IT FOUND
Patients did not recognize the term "patient safety," but understood "safety." They viewed preventing medical errors as the healthcare providers' job, not theirs.
Nurses should use direct language like "your safety," invite questions, and recognize that patients' willingness to engage changes during their stay.
Key findings
01Patients did not resonate with the term "patient safety," but unanimously understood "safety" as preventing harm.
02Participants believed preventing medical errors was the responsibility of healthcare providers, not patients.
03Patients viewed engagement in their safety as a right, but expected nurses to invite communication and adjust to their changing energy levels.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study included only 13 participants, so findings are not generalizable to all patients. Participants were English-speaking and recruited from a comprehensive cancer center, which may not represent the broader population. Self-selection bias is possible, as those who volunteered may have different views than those who declined. The study did not evaluate how anxiety, depression, or social support influenced patients' perceptions.
Declared interests
The study was supported by an N.I.H. grant (Extramural).
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these findings as evidence that patient engagement reduces medical errors. The study describes patients' perceptions of their role, which was largely to follow instructions and share responsibility for everyday safety, while explicitly rejecting responsibility for preventing medical errors.