Comparison of medical students’ perceptions of patient safety: Focusing on simulation training using a high-fidelity simulator

Abstract

Patient safety education is necessary for the provision of high-quality medical services. A significant aspect of patient safety education is simulation training, which allows medical students to experience realistic clinical environments. This study aimed to verify the effectiveness of patient safety education using simulation training. We retrospectively analyzed the results of a 30-question questionnaire survey on the perceptions of patient safety before and after simulation training, which was completed by 40 medical students who participated in clinical practice between June and December 2021. A paired t-test was performed by calculating the mean and standard deviation for each item. We found that students’ overall perceptions of patient safety improved after training. Specifically, after simulation training, attitudes toward patient safety were maintained at the same level as before training, while students’ self-efficacy of patient safety increased. Simulation training is effective in improving students’ perceptions of patient safety, and increasing students’ confidence can improve their clinical performance. To maintain this effect, repeated learning is required, and theoretical classes and simulation training should be used appropriately for patient safety education in the future.