A Human Factors and Systems-Thinking approach to Veterinary Patient Safety Education: Why, What, and How?

Abstract

Preparing graduates to practice safely in today's increasingly complex veterinary workplaces is a key aim for veterinary educators. This requires embedding veterinary patient safety concepts into already full curricula. This teaching tip explores the benefits of incorporating human factors and systems-thinking principles into the design and delivery of veterinary patient safety education, showing how these can inform both what is taught and how. We explore what taking a human factors approach to veterinary patient safety education means, inviting educators to rethink not just curricular content but the whole approach to delivery. Advocating for the adoption of a systems-thinking-informed approach to curriculum design, we present a two-stage curriculum mapping process to support educators to embed core human factors principles as a way of thinking and doing for learners and faculty alike. Learning theories and educational design that align with human factors principles promote participatory methods and encourage collaborative experiential learning, critical thinking, and authentic application of knowledge and skills. Educators should explore opportunities presented by interprofessional education and workplace-based learning for practical application of these principles. Barriers to an integrated human factors-based patient safety curriculum include inconsistent terminology and understanding, significant faculty development requirements, and assessment challenges associated with existing regulatory and licensing requirements. Practical approaches to addressing these barriers are discussed. The recommendations outlined for the design and delivery of veterinary patient safety curricula will help ensure that institutions develop graduates that are effectively prepared for the complexity they will meet in the veterinary workplace, leading to improved patient safety and overall workplace well-being.