[Patient safety: Patients perception at primary care level at an urban healthcare district]

Abstract

Objectives: Patient safety is a quality objective and a priority in healthcare. Most of the research has focused on the hospital setting and from the professional perspective. The objective of our study is to know the opinion of the patient who attends primary care regarding its safety in this area.

Material and methods: Cross-sectional observational study. A survey carried out with patients chosen through four health centres representing different socioeconomic levels of the same Basic Health Zone. Fifty patients per centre were surveyed.

Results: Two hundred patients surveyed of whom more than 90% reported no negative experiences in terms of errors in medication, identification, diagnosis or clinical management, highlighting the good care received and the good resolution of their problem. However, only around half claimed to understand the explanations of the healthcare professionals or to have had the opportunity to give an opinion or have shared decision-making on their management. These factors were closely related to the perceived lack of time in consultation and constant change of physician.

Conclusions: The vast majority of our patients report no adverse effects or safety issues during their primary care attendance. However, there is evidence of the need to strengthen aspects related to consultation time and increase the number and stability of human resources in health centres to improve patient satisfaction with the health system.

Keywords: Atención primaria de salud; Opinión del paciente; Participación del paciente; Patient opinion; Patient participation; Patient safety; Primary health care; Seguridad del paciente.