Impact of medical education on patient safety: finding the signal through the noise

Medical education and patient care are inextricably linked. At this time, with the limitations of simulation training and our continued dependence on educated physicians for clinical decision-making, one domain cannot exist without the other. The involvement of medical trainees in patient care means it is vital that the impact of changes to medical training programmes on patient outcomes are assessed with well-designed studies. The study, "National improvements in resident physician-reported patient safety after limiting first-year resident physicians’ extended duration work shifts,"1 by Weaver and colleagues published in this month’s issue of BMJ Quality and Safety signals the need for a robust discussion of education policy research within the field of medicine. Before specifically addressing the approach used by Weaver et al,1 a review of the complexities involved in studying the impact of medical education policy is warranted.2 The field of ‘education outcomes research’...

Source: Quality and Safety in Health Care - January 19, 2023 Category: Health Management Authors: Hwang, J., Kelz, R. Tags: Editorials Source Type: research