International Course on Quality in Healthcare and Patient Safety

Participation in the CIQSSP at the National School of Public Health of the Nova University of Lisbon provided me with the tools for the practical application of my Master’s in Quality Management. The course is very well structured, and the tutoring played a key role both in providing support and in stimulating the participation of the members. The added value was understanding the “globalization” of the Patient Safety issue.

For professionals with a particular interest in topics related to Quality in Health and Patient Safety, the NOVA NSPH Course is an opportunity not to be missed. Throughout the program, the main themes related to Quality dimensions and strategies to enhance Care Safety are explored in depth. This discussion is enriched by forums where students from various sectors share their professional experiences on each topic covered.

In addition to the forums, the individual and group assignments, as well as the in-person sessions, bring excellent dynamics to the course, facilitating the consolidation of the concepts addressed.

With its well-designed curriculum and the quality of its organization, this course is a valuable asset even for professionals who already have experience in this field.

Attending the 3rd Edition of the International Course on Quality in Health and Patient Safety (CIQSSP) at the National School of Public Health was a very pleasant and highly enriching experience, both professionally and personally. I applaud the school’s initiative in enabling healthcare professionals from different sectors and various parts of the world to access a high-quality course from the comfort of their homes or any other location.

The course units and content were very well-structured, and the topics covered were both interesting and current. All the assignments required a deep critical reflection on our daily practices. The forums provided an excellent opportunity for exchanging experiences and learning—I loved sharing with colleagues from different countries and with diverse realities.

The tutors shared their profound knowledge in the field of quality and patient safety with the class, and they were always present to support us with a very positive and constructive attitude.

A demanding yet highly stimulating course!

My name is Cláudia Mello, and I am a physician from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Currently, I serve as the Undersecretary of Health Surveillance for the State Health Department of Rio de Janeiro. My introduction to the topic of Patient Safety dates back to 2010 when our national icon, Dr. Walter Mendes, visited our organization and awakened us to the significance and importance of the global movement that was expanding at the time. Since then, I have pursued an institutional and personal path in advocating for the dissemination of this subject. I have also been a tutor at ENSP/FIOCRUZ in Rio de Janeiro for the distance learning specialization courses in Quality and Patient Safety since the program’s first edition in 2014.

In this context, I realized the need to further my qualifications and become a specialist in Patient Safety. I chose an international course to revisit the fundamental concepts of the field and, beyond technical knowledge, to gain the opportunity to engage with different realities and countries. I can confidently say that the outcome exceeded my expectations. The course’s structure was entirely to my liking, but I would like to highlight some standout aspects: the discussion forums during activities, the group work exchanges with colleagues from other countries, the in-person experience in Lisbon, and the visits to local hospitals in Portugal!

In summary, it was an extraordinary experience that I already miss!

“We cannot change the human condition, but we can change the conditions under which humans work.” James Reason, BMJ/2000.

Participating in the International Course on Quality in Health and Patient Safety provided me with both theoretical and practical tools on various topics related to patient safety, particularly in a hospital setting. The course is very well-structured, offering a wide range of scientific content, with the sharing of diverse professional realities in the various forums being fundamental.

This fast-paced program, with the constant submission of assignments, exposes us to a variety of topics and raises awareness of their vulnerabilities. On a personal level, it broadened my horizons and made me believe that small improvements and structured work methods can achieve continuous advancements in our workplaces. It serves as a catalyst for continuous improvement and for providing our patients with SAFE healthcare services.

I am confident that the next edition will maintain its exceptional quality and align perfectly with the next global challenge from the WHO, “Towards eliminating avoidable harm in Health Care” (2021–2030). Don’t miss out!