Cultivating competence in error management: The development and impact of a tailored quality improvement and patient safety curriculum in pathology training

Despite recent efforts in medicine to minimize diagnostic errors in healthcare, a gap persists in the formal education of pathology trainees in quality improvement and patient safety and error management. This study evaluates a formal curriculum developed and implemented over one year at a pathology residency training program aimed at addressing this educational gap for pathology trainees. A year-long curriculum was developed and implemented involving didactics, small group discussions, and case-based exercises known as error management cases of the week. Pre- and post-curricular surveys assessed trainees' attitudes, beliefs, skills, and confidence related to quality improvement and patient safety. The curriculum's success was measured via participation rates, changes in trainees' attitudes, beliefs, skills, and confidence related to quality improvement and patient safety as measured through surveys, and longitudinal comparisons with national resident survey results. The pre-survey revealed a pressing need for quality improvement and patient safety training, especially among early trainees. Postcurriculum, trainee participants demonstrated significant improvement in confidence and application of quality improvement and patient safety methodologies. This was further supported by an increase in the pathology trainees' participation in safety event investigations compared to averages from a national survey. The study highlights the effectiveness of a structured quality improvement and patient safety curriculum in enhancing trainee competence and confidence, suggesting a template for wider adoption in pathology residencies. The curriculum's success in shifting attitudes and skills advocates for its integration into national residency programs, promoting a culture of safety and open error management in the field of pathology.