Engaging Patients for Patients' Safety: Empowering Pharmacists to Enhance Healthcare Outcomes
The College of Pharmacy at Qatar University (QU) is committed to excellence in pharmaceutical education, research, and practice. With a focus on patient-centered care and safety, the college strives to produce highly skilled pharmacists who contribute to the well-being of the community. As part of its commitment to contribute to public health promotion and in commemoration of World Patient Safety Day (WPSD) on 17 September, the College hosted a dynamic outreach event centered on this year's theme, “Engaging Patients for Patient Safety.” Under the banner of “Pharmacists Elevating the Voice of Patients,” the event saw enthusiastic participation from both students and faculty members, emphasizing the critical role of pharmacists in ensuring patient safety.
The event, which was organized in collaboration with the Qatar Pharmacy Undergraduate Students Society (QPhUS) and the QU Students Representative Board (QUSRB), highlighted a series of engaging activities and interactive games designed to raise awareness about patient safety. Those activities were conducted by the talented and passionate student volunteers, who brought a fresh perspective to the importance of involving patients in their own healthcare journey. Students, faculty, and staff were welcomed to pass by the campaign booths, where volunteers presented informative brochures, posters, and interactive cards highlighting the WHO’s global objectives for Patient Safety Day and the role of patients as well as pharmacists in ensuring the safety of patients in healthcare settings. The activities and educational material featured in this event emphasized the enormous benefit of patients’ own awareness of their health and treatment choices and their active participation in clinical decision-making in reducing the magnitude of the global impact of healthcare-related harm to patients and their families.
Faculty members from the College of Pharmacy played a pivotal role in the event, offering their guidance and support to students throughout the activities. In addition, faculty members took a moment at the beginning of their lectures on 17 September to reflect on the significance of patient safety. They encouraged students to empower patients and engage them actively in their healthcare decision-making process.
Professor Derek Stewart, an internationally renowned educator and researcher and a faculty member of the College of Pharmacy at QU, emphasized the importance of actively involving patients in healthcare decisions. He stated, “Healthcare systems are dynamic, fast-paced, and ever-changing, aiming to provide efficient, effective, and person-centered care. These key features, combined with the vast array of individuals and patient groups involved, place all at risk. We need to keep advancing the notion of the patients as the most important stakeholders and proactively seek their desires, views, and experiences to constantly reflect, revise, and refocus care to minimize risk and enhance safety.”
Farah Salem, professional first year student, has also shared her perspective on patient safety, saying, “The pharmacist must be the voice of the patient. Providing answers to questions they might have, even if they don’t say them out loud, will ensure safety and familiarity with their treatment journey.”
The College of Pharmacy at QU's outreach event not only highlighted the significance of patient safety but also demonstrated the commitment of the institution to nurturing future pharmacists who are dedicated to elevating the voice of patients and enhancing healthcare outcomes.