Reducing vulnerability to medical error

The World Health Organisation with the publication of a patient safety curricular guide has challenged medical educators to innovate. The patient safety simulated ward at UCC medical school provides a series of clinical scenarios reflecting commonly encountered antecedents to medical error. The simulated ward provides a low risk setting in which to demonstrate competence, reflection and consolidate learning. Students rate the experience positively, noting the learning afforded by this exposure to autonomous clinical practice.