Three Ways to Create Psychological Safety in Health Care
© 2021 Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
How can leaders ― with or without formal authority ― create psychological safety in health care? In a short video, Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, describes three key actions to foster a psychologically safe work environment.
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Psychological Safety is very important for the workplace. It can been misunderstood as weakness by some but that is the worst way to approach this matter.
So important to heal our current sociopathic corporate culture. Here's my experience with toxic workplace: http://www.mybreathingmind.com/blog/you-might-not-be-as-safe-as-you-think-you-are-at-work
Amanzing! TKS: )
Worth Watching
"How to turn a group of strangers into a team"is another great video by Prof Amy
Creating psychological safety in healthcare is crucial for fostering an environment where healthcare professionals can freely share concerns, ask questions, and report errors without fear of retaliation or judgment. In a high-stakes field like healthcare, where mistakes can have serious consequences, it is essential for team members from doctors and nurses to administrative staff and support teams to feel empowered to speak up and collaborate effectively.
First and foremost, leadership plays a critical role in cultivating psychological safety. Healthcare leaders must model transparency, humility, and openness, encouraging staff to admit mistakes, ask questions, and propose improvements. When leaders acknowledge their own vulnerabilities, such as learning from errors or seeking advice from colleagues, it sets a tone of mutual respect and fosters a culture of continuous learning rather than one of blame.
Communication is key in building psychological safety. Clear, respectful, and open communication channels should be in place to facilitate feedback, collaboration, and the sharing of ideas. Encouraging regular team meetings and debriefs, where team members can discuss challenges, share experiences, and provide constructive feedback, helps ensure that psychological safety remains a priority.
Additionally, healthcare organizations should prioritize creating supportive work environments where team members are encouraged to practice empathy, actively listen, and respect one another’s input. This also includes addressing interpersonal dynamics that may contribute to power imbalances or undermine trust. A culture of inclusion, where all voices are valued, is essential for reducing hierarchies that can prevent lower-ranking staff from speaking up.
Training in emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, and team-building can help healthcare workers manage difficult conversations, resolve disagreements constructively, and maintain positive working relationships. Psychological safety also extends to patient safety, as when healthcare workers feel safe, they are more likely to advocate for patients, voice concerns, and ensure high-quality care.
Ultimately, creating psychological safety in healthcare is not only about improving individual well-being but also enhancing team performance, reducing errors, improving patient care, and promoting a culture of continuous improvement.
Good tips for creating a PS, and it's so simple, making it easy to do!