Defining the patient safety attitudes and influencing factors of health professionals working at maternity hospitals

Aim To determine patient safety attitudes of midwives, nurses and physicians and to examine the difference or correlation in patient safety attitudes of midwives, nurses and physicians working in maternity hospitals. Background It has been suggested that it is necessary to define the factors affecting patient safety attitudes of health professionals working in maternity hospitals. Methods A descriptive and correlational design was employed.The sample comprised 58 midwives, 134 nurses and 63 physicians (255) in two maternity hospitals in Istanbul, Turkey. The data were collected using an ‘information form’ and a ‘Patient Safety Attitude Questionnaire’. Results The safety attitudes of participants were generally found to be negative. However, midwives had more positive patient safety attitudes and the age, unit, adequacy of patient safety training and the importance of patient safety were the most effective variables. Conclusions As health professionals working in maternity hospitals generally have negative patient safety attitudes and because patient safety training provided better attitudes among the participants, these training programmes should be developed and implemented considering the differences among age groups and units. Implications for practice Health professionals have different views on the patient safety culture; therefore, training needs to involve everyone to create a shared vision for patient safety.