Abstract
This study reviewed articles published in Japan in order to clarify the effects of medical safety education in Japanese hospitals and to consider research issues of medical safety education in Japan. Seventeen papers from the web version of Igaku Chuo Zasshi were selected and analyzed. The themes of the articles included the following: 1) increasing awareness regarding medical safety, 2) improvement of safety confirmation actions, and 3) operation of medical devices and materials. Group learning using actual cases was often employed. Satisfaction of those participating in this education was generally high; education that increased awareness regarding medical safety and that related to improvement of confirmation actions was considered useful. However, increasing awareness does not necessarily mean an improvement in practiced behavior. Graduated series of a program are needed, such as introduction of specific behavior norms after an intervention for increasing awareness. In addition, follow-up education is needed for the establishment of knowledge and skills. There were few articles that evaluated the outcomes of education based on empirical research design; therefore, higher quality research design, comparison of education methods, and follow-up surveys are needed in the future.
