A mixed methods investigation of behavioural determinants relating to medication error reporting by health professionals in the United Arab Emirates.

Alqubaisi, Mai

Abstract

Improving the effectiveness and efficiency of medication error reporting is key to enhancing patient safety. The aim of this research was to explore medication error reporting in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), examining the attitudes, beliefs, behaviors and experiences of health professionals. The first phase was a Joanna Briggs Institute-registered systematic review of the beliefs, attitudes and experiences of health professionals relating to medication error reporting. Findings indicated the need for original research employing a mixed methods approach in order to quantify and generate in-depth information, grounded in theories of behaviour change. In the second phase, a cross-sectional survey of health professionals in the UAE was conducted to identify the behavioural determinants, facilitators and barriers of medication error reporting. Principal component analysis of responses from 294 health professionals identified six components: knowledge and skills; feedback and support; action and impact; motivation; effort; and emotions. Responses were neutral for the motivation and effort components, but negative for the emotions component. Comparison of component scores identified that positive responses were more likely to be received from nurses, females, those with greater experience and those who were older (p < 0.05). In terms of emotions, the component with the lowest scores, older respondents with greater experience gave more positive responses (p < 0.05). In the final phase, face-to-face semi-structured interviews with twenty-nine health professionals explored in depth the behavioural determinants of medication errors reporting in the UAE. The theoretical domains framework was employed in constructing the interview schedule and interpreting the findings. Goals and intentions were determinants that acted as facilitators, while beliefs of the consequences, emotions, social influences and environmental context were barriers. This doctoral research has generated original findings that can support the development of interventions based on behaviour change techniques, which will help to enhance medication error reporting. These changes could impact organisations, health professionals and patients.

Citation

ALQUBAISI, M.M. 2016. A mixed methods investigation of behavioural determinants relating to medication error reporting by health professionals in the United Arab Emirates. Robert Gordon University, PhD thesis.

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Jan 23, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 23, 2017
• Keywords: Medication errors; Systematic review; Crosssectional survey; Interviews; Theoretical domains framework; Barriers; Facilitators; United Arab Emirates
• Public URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10059/2115
• Award Date: Nov 30, 2016