Attitudes toward patient safety among healthcare professionals at various levels

Abstract

Background: Patient safety (PS) is a global public health concern, with millions affected by unsafe healthcare practices annually. Positive PS attitudes among healthcare workers (HCWs) are essential for improving patient outcomes and the overall quality of care. However, understanding and fostering a safety culture remain challenges, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
Methods: This study assessed PS attitudes among 120 primary healthcare (PHC) units. Participants included physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dentists, and technicians. A modified Chinese Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (CSAQ), encompassing seven dimensions, was utilized. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, and regression analysis to identify predictors of PS attitudes.
Results: The study revealed low PS scores across both healthcare levels, with no domain scoring above 75%. Older age, male gender, marital status, advanced education, nursing roles, and prior PS training were significantly associated with higher PS scores. Regression analysis highlighted education level and job type as predictors of positive PS attitudes.
Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need for targeted interventions to improve PS attitudes. Strategies include ongoing training, fostering a non-punitive safety culture, and optimizing workloads. Further research should explore organizational factors influencing PS to enhance care quality across all healthcare levels.