Patient safety education outcomes among healthcare students undertaking an operating room internship: a descriptive cross-sectional study
- 1Yuksek Ihtisas University, Operating Room Services Program, Baglum, Kecioren, Ankara, 06291 Turkey
- 2Yuksek Ihtisas University, Anesthesia Program, Baglum, Kecioren, Ankara, 06291 Türkiye
Abstract
Background: Operating rooms are among the most complex and high-risk healthcare environments, rendering patients particularly vulnerable to threats to patient safety. In addition to professional healthcare teams, healthcare students undertaking clinical internships are actively involved in care processes within these settings. This study aimed to evaluate perceived patient safety education outcomes among healthcare students undertaking an operating room internship.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 February and 15 June 2025 at the Operating Room Services and Anesthesia Programs of a Vocational School of Health Services in Türkiye. The sample consisted of 120 s-year healthcare students who were undertaking operating room internships and had completed the Patient Safety course during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form and the Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSS).
Results: The H-PEPSS scores in the classroom setting were significantly higher than those in the clinical setting (Z = − 8.950, p < 0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the duration of operating room internship and the scores obtained from the “Recognize, respond to, and Disclose Adverse Events and Close Calls” subscale of the H-PEPSS in the clinical setting (r = 0.186, p = 0.042). Although some students reported witnessing patient safety–threatening events during their internships, only one-quarter of these incidents were formally reported.
Conclusions: The findings suggest that greater clinical exposure may be associated with improved perceived competence in recognizing and responding to adverse events. However, further longitudinal and multi-center studies are needed before recommending curriculum changes such as extending internship duration.
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BibTeX
@article{akcelik2026patient,
title = {{Patient safety education outcomes among healthcare students undertaking an operating room internship: a descriptive cross-sectional study}},
author = {Ozgu Bakcek Akcelik and Bircan Kolcak},
journal = {BMC Medical Education},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.1186/s12909-026-10058-4},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-026-10058-4},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Patient safety education outcomes among healthcare students undertaking an operating room internship: a descriptive cross-sectional study
AU - Ozgu Bakcek Akcelik
AU - Bircan Kolcak
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/11
JO - BMC Medical Education
DO - 10.1186/s12909-026-10058-4
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-026-10058-4
AB - Background: Operating rooms are among the most complex and high-risk healthcare environments, rendering patients particularly vulnerable to threats to patient safety. In addition to professional healthcare teams, healthcare students undertaking clinical internships are actively involved in care processes within these settings. This study aimed to evaluate perceived patient safety education outcomes among healthcare students undertaking an operating room internship. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between 15 February and 15 June 2025 at the Operating Room Services and Anesthesia Programs of a Vocational School of Health Services in Türkiye. The sample consisted of 120 s-year healthcare students who were undertaking operating room internships and had completed the Patient Safety course during the 2024–2025 academic year. Data were collected using a Descriptive Information Form and the Health Professional Education in Patient Safety Survey (H-PEPSS). Results: The H-PEPSS scores in the classroom setting were significantly higher than those in the clinical setting (Z = − 8.950, p < 0.001). A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between the duration of operating room internship and the scores obtained from the “Recognize, respond to, and Disclose Adverse Events and Close Calls” subscale of the H-PEPSS in the clinical setting (r = 0.186, p = 0.042). Although some students reported witnessing patient safety–threatening events during their internships, only one-quarter of these incidents were formally reported. Conclusions: The findings suggest that greater clinical exposure may be associated with improved perceived competence in recognizing and responding to adverse events. However, further longitudinal and multi-center studies are needed before recommending curriculum changes such as extending internship duration.
SN - 1472-6920
ER -