Patients and Health Workers’ Engagement in Patient Safety in Healthcare in Kitgum General Hospital
Date
2014
Authors
Kizito, Omona
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Uganda Martyrs University
Abstract
The delivery of health care is known to involve potential safety risks for the patients who are
supposed to benefit from medical treatment and care. Over the years, efforts have been put in
place to reduce the occurrence of safety risks and improve on patient quality of care. Both the
health care providers and patients have their respective roles to play. Bringing on board
patients in efforts to minimise safety risks, also known as patient engagement, proved
effective.
The objectives of the study were; to ascertain the level of awareness about patient safety in
healthcare among patients and health workers, to determine the level of health workers
engagement in patient safety in healthcare, assess the level of patient engagement in patient
safety, as well as to determine the factors affecting patients and health workers engagement
in patient safety in health care in Kitgum General Hospital.
This was a descriptive, cross sectional study of patients and health workers‟ engagement in
patient safety in healthcare in Kitgum General Hospital (KGH). The study took both
qualitative and quantitative dimensions. A probability sample of 384 patients was interviewed
using structured questionnaires and 103health workers were studied by observation and key
informant interviews. Documentation review of previous patient files (50files) was carried
out to assess the depth of patient identification, as a measure to minimize medical errors. Pretesting
of the questionnaires and training of research Assistants were done prior to the study
to ensure quality of the research. Ethical considerations in research were strictly adhered to.
The level of awareness about patient safety among patients and health workers was found to
be 46.5% and 51% respectively.
The level of health workers engagement in patient safety was found to be 51.4% while
engagement of patients in patient safety was at 52.1%
The factors affecting patients and health workers engagement were mainly demographic
factors such as age and level of education, among others.
In conclusion, health workers in KGH were 4.5% more aware about patient safety than the
patients. However, patients in KGH are 0.7% more engaged in patient safety than the health
workers.
The level of health workers‟ engagement in healthcare, level of patient engagement as well as
awareness about patient safety is still low in KGH. A lot need to be done, including
conducting similar research in other health facilities for comparison purpose.
Description
Keywords
Health care, Safety risks, Medical treatment, Medical care, Health care providers, Patients, Patient engagement