Table 2 Subscales of the German Attitudes to Patient Safety Questionnaire (GAPSQ). Paired results for pre- and post-test data

Patient safety training received

156

1.61

.81

1.08

.84

.005

My training is preparing me to understand the causes of medical errors.

178

1.31

1.26

.962

I have a good understanding of patient safety issues as a result of my undergraduate medical training.

191

1.40

1.28

.000

My training is preparing me to prevent medical errors.

181

1.28

1.26

.957

Error reporting confidence

179

1.46

.83

1.35

.83

.148

I would feel comfortable reporting any errors I had made, no matter how serious the outcome had been for the patient.

190

1.57

1.47

.001

I would feel comfortable reporting any errors other people had made, no matter how serious the outcome had been for the patient.

185

1.50

1.43

.350

Working hours as error cause (fatigue)

212

.77

.82

.82

.93

.001

Shorter shifts for doctors will reduce medical errors.

219

.86

.92

.006

By not taking regular breaks during shifts, doctors are at an increased risk of making errors.

220

.90

.83

.112

The number of hours doctors work increases the likelihood of making medical errors.

219

.99

.87

.000

Error inevitability

223

.88

.37

.76

.49

.008

Even the most experienced and competent doctors make errors.

226

.76

.61

.029

Human error is inevitable.

223

1.04

1.19

.038

Patient involvement in reducing error

205

1.16

.73

.95

.77

.000

Patients have an important role in preventing medical errors.

213

1.35

1.04

.000

Encouraging patients to be more involved in their care can help to reduce the risk of medical errors occurring.

215

1.24

1.02

.000

Importance of patient safety in the curriculum

198

.95

.84

1.11

.80

.341

Teaching students about patient safety should be an important priority in medical students training.

219

1.02

1.18

.582

Learning about patient safety issues before I qualify will enable me to become a more effective doctor.

201

.108

1.25

.126