Course summary

Harm resulting from unsafe healthcare is one of the ten leading causes of death and disability in the world today. While it seems inherently obvious that patient safety should be at the heart of everything we do in healthcare, the mechanisms for doing so are not always simple. Learning about quality and patient safety will equip you to lead change in healthcare that can make a real impact on the experiences and outcomes of patients. A sound theoretical knowledge of quality improvement and patient safety will help you to identify and design interventions for change that have the greatest chance of decreasing patient harm, improving patient experience and generating a sustainable positive working environment. On our MSc, you will learn the practice and theories of healthcare quality and patient safety from our academics, who are leading world-class research in this area, and from experts in quality and safety at our NHS partners. Among the topics you will study are quality improvement methods, the influences on patient safety, methods and knowledge in the discipline of ergonomics and human factors, and the use of data for quality improvement and patient safety. You will also be supported to develop key transferable skills in critical appraisal, academic writing, project management and communication. You can study full-time or part-time, giving you the flexibility to fit study around your existing work commitments, meaning you can enhance your career prospects without having to leave employment. It is, therefore, ideal for healthcare professionals who wish to increase their skills and knowledge of patient safety and healthcare quality. Alternatively, you can gain a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) if you complete the two modules ‘Quality and Quality Improvement in Healthcare’ and ‘Patient Safety and Applied Human Factors’.