Finding Antecedents of Psychological Safety: A Step Toward Quality Improvement

Abstract

Purpose: The study's aim is to review the literature on psychological safety in the healthcare setting, more specifically, to identify environmental climates which promote and support psychological safety in healthcare organizations.

Conclusion: The findings show the complex dyadic interplay between leaders and team members. Current literature supports the significant role of leaders as one of the major contextual influences in promoting a psychologically safe environment. Specific leadership behaviors found in this review, including leadership inclusiveness, trustworthiness, change-oriented leaders, and ethical leadership, can foster a psychologically safe environment. The development and training of such leaders must incorporate cultivation of different domains of leadership.

Practice implication: Knowledge of the factors influencing psychological safety will assist healthcare organizations to cultivate and promote the psychological safety among healthcare personnel, thereby promoting patient safety and increasing healthcare quality.

Keywords: Leadership; literature review; psychological safey; quality improvement.