Dental Students' Perceptions of Patient Safety: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Traditional Chinese Version of the Attitudes to Patient Safety Questionnaire

Authors

Chen-Yi Lee, Department of Oral Hygiene, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan AND Department of Medical Research, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, TaiwanFollow
Ju-Hui Wu, Department of Oral Hygiene, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, Department of Dentistry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; AND Center for Medical Education and Humanizing Health Professional Education, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Yu-Chih Lin, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan AND School of Post Baccalaureate Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
Shu-Yuan Lin, School of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Abstract

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the psychometric properties of the traditional Chinese version of the Attitudes to Patient Safety Questionnaire (APSQ-T) in a Taiwanese population (Study 1) and investigate dental students' perceptions of patient safety, identify their educational needs, and correlate these aspects to improve the curriculum (Study 2). Methods: Study 1 conducted a cross-sectional study using convenience sampling at a medical university in Taiwan. A total of 223 participants from the fields of dentistry, oral hygiene, nursing, and medicine were recruited to complete an anonymous survey for the validation of the APSQ-T. In Study 2, data collected from dental students were further analyzed to explore their attitudes and needs regarding patient safety. Results: In Study 1, the APSQ-T demonstrated good reliability and validity. After cultural adaptation, it can be administered to students across all healthcare professions, including dentistry. In Study 2, a total of 135 valid questionnaires from dental students were analyzed, with a response rate of 65.5%. The participants showed relatively conservative attitudes on ``Disclosure responsibility'' and ``Error reporting confidence,'' while showing high agreement with ``Working hours as error cause'' and ``Situational awareness.'' Among the clinical group, females perceived less training than males. Moreover, the clinical group reported a significantly higher percentage of medical error-related experiences than the pre-clinical group. Most respondents expressed a desire for further education on patient safety issues. Conclusions: In future curricular developments, dental students' attitudes and needs regarding medical errors and patient safety should be considered to promote an open clinical culture.

First Page

192

Last Page

204

Recommended Citation

Lee, Chen-Yi; Wu, Ju-Hui; Lin, Yu-Chih; and Lin, Shu-Yuan (2025) "Dental Students' Perceptions of Patient Safety: A Cross-Sectional Study Using the Traditional Chinese Version of the Attitudes to Patient Safety Questionnaire," Journal of Medical Education: Vol. 29: Iss. 4, Article 4.
Available at: https://jme.researchcommons.org/journal/vol29/iss4/4