Nursing Students' Intention to Report Medication Errors: Application of Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract

Background Reporting, investigating, and full disclosure of medication errors (MEs) is a fundamental component of patient safety. Therefore, determining nursing students' intention to report MEs is important. Purpose This study examined the factors related to nursing students' intention to report MEs and the use of the Turkish version of the Theory of Planned Behavior Medication Safety Questionnaire (TPB-MSQ-T). Methods A descriptive cross-sectional design was used with a sample of 227 undergraduate nursing students in Istanbul, Turkey. Students' intentions to report MEs were measured using an online TPB-MSQ-T. Quantitative analysis was conducted. Results Attitudes and perceived behavioral control (PBC) were significant predictors of intention to report MEs (P =.05 and P =.01, respectively), but subjective norms did not predict it (P =.11). The Cronbach's α of the questionnaire was 0.88. Conclusions Attitude and PBC are important determinants of nursing students' intention to report MEs. The TPB-MSQ-T can be used for identifying the main determinants of intention to report MEs.