Effects of patient safety education programs on nursing students' knowledge, attitude, and competency with patient safety: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

Aims Patient safety is a global concern, and nurses, as the largest group of healthcare professionals, play a critical role in ensuring patient safety. This study aimed to systematically review and analyze the effects of patient safety education programs on nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and competencies by synthesizing existing research and identifying key factors contributing to program effectiveness. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources Ovid-EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PubMed were selected for their comprehensive coverage of healthcare and nursing literature. Articles published between January 2000 and July 2024 were included, as the year 2000 marked the beginning of global efforts to prioritize patient safety in healthcare systems. Review methods This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines. A comprehensive search of Ovid-EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PubMed (2000-2024) identified interventional studies on patient safety education for nursing students. Eligible studies underwent quality appraisal using the weight of evidence framework. Results The meta-analysis showed significant improvements in nursing students' knowledge (Z = 5.315, p < .001), attitudes (Z = 2.727, p = .006), and competencies (Z = 4.870, p < .001). Effect sizes ranged from medium to very large (g = 0.684-2.461). Meta-regression analysis indicated that participants' grades (beta = -3.29, p < .001) influenced attitudes, while both grades (beta = -2.04, p = .007) and education methods (beta = 0.85, p = .042) affected competency. Conclusion Patient safety education programs significantly enhance nursing students' knowledge, attitudes, and competencies. Structured, long-term education and interactive methods, such as simulation and virtual reality, enhance competency development. Integrating these approaches into nursing curricula can help bridge the gap between theory and practice, ultimately improving patient safety.