Patients about patient safety

Abstract

Nowadays, the role of patients has changed, and their participation in the healthcare system has become
essential to create patient safety. In many studies, patient engagement with patient safety is seen from the
perspective of healthcare workers, therefore the aim of this summary is to show what patients themselves know about patient safety and how they perceive their role.
A total of 55 relevant international articles published in English between 2017 and 2021 were included in our
literature search. We used the databases of PubMed, Web of Science (Core Collection), Scopus and Ovid. We
searched in the title and abstract of the studies, using the following keywords and their equivalents: patients
and patient safety, patients' experience, patients' perspective, patients' knowledge, patients' role, patients'
emotions, patient involvement, patient participation. 
Articles dealing specifically with patient safety in relation to children and dental practices were excluded from the search. We did not find a unified framework for research on patients' perspectives, so we have defined four dimensions (role, need, knowledge, experience) to process the literature. The results of the reviewed research highlighted that patients associate few aspects of patient safety with a number of domains. The top three topics that they connected to patient safety were information transfer (from the patient and the health care worker) and communication, medication and the functioning of health care as an institutional system. The patients highlighted the issue of adequate and empathic communication between health professionals and patients. Their involvement in their care varies in depth, influenced by their level of knowledge or lack of it, individual willingness, the situation and the attitudes of caregivers. Patients are increasingly keen to take an active role in their own care. Empathic communication, an atmosphere of emotional safety and patient empowerment are important tools to involve and encourage patients.
Their active involvement has a positive impact on the quality of care, which can be further enhanced by the
involvement of relatives. In improving patient safety, efforts should be made to involve patients and empo -
wer them. This should be addressed consciously and strengthened through comprehensive education programs, both for staff and patients.