Sessional Lecturer- HAD3030H Concepts and Strategies in Patient Safety

Posting Date: September 22, 2026

Program: Master of Science Quality Improvement and Patient Safety

Sessional Dates of Appointment: Winter 2027, January- AprilExisting Vacancy: Yes

Course Title: HAD3030H Concepts and Strategies in Patient Safety

Course Description:

Efforts to improve patient safety have thus far fallen into two different but, not mutually exclusive categories: 1) a “safety science approach”, drawing on lessons from other high risk industries to develop systems for reporting and learning from safety problems, recognizing the degree to which human errors are often facilitated by latent system problems, attention to human factors design principles affecting everything from equipment use to shift schedules and clinical environments, as well as the importance of teamwork, communication strategies, and organizational culture. 2) “evidence-based medicine approach”: as with much clinical research, this approach targets common problems (in this case, harms caused by medical care as opposed to diseases), looks for interventions to prevent such complications (e.g., prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism, bundles for preventing central-line associated infections, bar-coding to prevent medication administration errors), assesses the evidence supporting these interventions and the degree to which effective implementation strategies also exist.Beginning with a brief history of patient safety in healthcare, including high profile cases and seminal studies that launched the widespread interest in patient safety, the course will cover key concepts and examples from both of the approaches to studying and reducing patient safety problems. The course will use examples of commonly discussed patient safety practices to convey the state of the evidence supporting the practices as well as key underlying concepts. For instance,



the discussion of order sets and computerized decision support will include a review of what is known about their current effectiveness, but also include human factors concepts related to optimal order set design. Similarly, the discussion of checklists will include not just the evidence supporting their benefit (e.g., in peri-operative settings) but also the importance of attending to teamwork and communication issues that support successful implementation.

Objectives:

To critically appraise common patient safety practices

- To compare and contrast frameworks in patient safety
- To apply assess approaches to addressing complex patient safety challenges
- To describe key elements of organizations that support safer care
- To analyse quantitative and qualitative measurement and monitoring strategies in patient safety
- To identify strategies to gather patient perspectives to expand their role in supporting effective
- outcomes of care

This course will utilize some of the principles learned in the Quality Improvement Methods course to illustrate patient safety issues (e.g., Analysis of Statistical Process Control charts)

Delivery mode: In-person

Qualifications:

- A graduate degree with experience in quality improvement in health care, preferably in the areas of patient safety, risk, QI methods, implementation, and evaluation;
- A robust understanding of the application and role of quality improvement in the Canadian healthcare system;
- Past teaching experience related to quality improvement and patient safety, at the graduate level;
- Prior experience in curriculum development and adult teaching-learning methods;
- Comfortable with electronic teaching tools such as Learning Management Systems (e.g., Quercus), PowerPoint,



as well as on-line collaboration tools (Blogs, Wikkis, Discussion Boards, Webinars, or

Duties:

- Co-Course instructor for a skilled graduate course using competency-based learning and assessment methods.
- Must be accessible to students outside of classroom hours.

Closing Date: October 13, 2026

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. Westrongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see .

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.
The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.
If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact .

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Sessional Lecturer-H Concepts and Strategies in Patient Safety (Toronto)
🏢 University of Toronto
📍 Toronto