Educating physicians prepared to improve care and safety is no accident: it requires a systematic approach
- VA National Quality Scholars Program, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center and Center for Healthcare Research and Policy, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Correspondence to: Dr D C Aron, Education Office 14(W), Louis Stokes Cleveland DVA Medical Center, 10701 East Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA; david.aron{at}med.va.gov
- Accepted 24 April 2002
Abstract
While most newly qualified physicians are well prepared in the science base of medicine and in the skills that enable them to look after individual patients, few have the skills necessary to improve care and patient safety continuously. We apply a systems analysis from the field of human error to identify ways in which medical school education can increase the number of graduates prepared to reflect on and improve professional practice. Doing so requires a systematic approach involving entrance requirements, the curriculum, the organizational culture of training environments, student assessment, and program evaluation.
