Patient safety education - a description and evaluation of an international, interdisciplinary e-learning programme

Abstract

Patient safety is a priority within healthcare across the globe. Delivering safer healthcare demands a system wide approach and educators have a responsibility to play a full role. This article describes how e-learning can be a means of engaging and educating an international group of critical care professionals studying at Masters level. Using online tools such as blogs, wikis and discussion boards students are introduced to quality and safety subjects and tools to help them improve care at a local level. Working together as a collaborative of different professionals has engaged the student group helping them understand their role in reducing harm and has resulted in improvements to care.

Keywords: Distance; E-learning; Education; Inter-professional; Patient safety.