RESUMO
Introduction : Medical errors in Healthcare is now a global concern and patient safety is become a significant priority. Despite the escalating need for patient safety curriculum in Medical Education, few Medical Schools have a structured training in place. We did this study to evaluate the attitudes of Indian Medical Students towards patient safety. Methods : This was a descriptive, cross-sectional, questionnaire based study done over 6 months among cohorts of 2nd and 3rd year Medical Students. The Attitudes to Patient Safety Questionnaire-III was used. The responses were noted using a 7-point Likert scale. Mean scores were analysed for 9 domains consisting of 26 items and compared for the two groups using Students 't' test. The sample was set at 95% confidence interval. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : Total of 190 students participated, 70 second year and 120 third year students with response rate of 46.6% and 80% respectively. Both groups showed positive response for domains of working factors as an error cause, team functioning and error inevitability. Lowest score was received for professional incompetence as an error and disclosure responsibility. There was a significant difference between the two groups in one domain and 6 individual items. Discussion : The results of the study reveal that there is a need to include structured patient safety curriculum in Undergraduate Medical Education which was strongly acknowledged by the participants. Non-technical skill training would help student develop positive attitudes towards teamwork, error reporting and disclosure responsibility