Identifying the Key Elements of Psychologically Safe Workplaces in Healthcare Settings
Background: Psychological safety is a key concern in the workplace as organisations continue to see increases in psychological injuries that have significant ramifications on individuals and workplaces. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue in healthcare workforces facing extraordinary pr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Brain Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/10/1450 |
| _version_ | 1827721447158579200 |
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| author | Karen T. Hallam Natasha Popovic Leila Karimi |
| author_facet | Karen T. Hallam Natasha Popovic Leila Karimi |
| author_sort | Karen T. Hallam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Psychological safety is a key concern in the workplace as organisations continue to see increases in psychological injuries that have significant ramifications on individuals and workplaces. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue in healthcare workforces facing extraordinary pressures. This preliminary study aims to enhance our understanding of the factors that healthcare workers value in relation to psychological safety in their respective healthcare settings. Methods: To achieve the research objective, qualitative self-reflection examples were conducted with 12 participants from various health professional backgrounds across public, private, and aged-care settings. The data obtained were thematically analysed using NVivo software (V 12), enabling the identification of key elements associated with psychologically safe workplaces. Results: The results revealed several significant elements that contribute to psychologically safe workplaces in healthcare settings. These elements include effective communication, organisational culture, leadership practices, performance feedback mechanisms, respect among colleagues, staff development opportunities, teamwork, and trust. The findings underscore the critical importance of these foundational elements in fostering psychological safety within healthcare. Conclusion: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by specifically identifying the key elements that healthcare workers value in terms of psychological safety. By exploring a wide range of healthcare professionals’ perspectives, this research offers valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by healthcare workforces and the necessary conditions for fostering psychological safety. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the lessons they provide for healthcare employers, highlighting the potential for improving workplace wellbeing and performance. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:23:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6958e05ba6094ec69af97271cd3f95bd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-3425 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:23:31Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Brain Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-6958e05ba6094ec69af97271cd3f95bd2023-11-19T15:53:07ZengMDPI AGBrain Sciences2076-34252023-10-011310145010.3390/brainsci13101450Identifying the Key Elements of Psychologically Safe Workplaces in Healthcare SettingsKaren T. Hallam0Natasha Popovic1Leila Karimi2Psychology Department, School of Applied Health, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaSchool of Health Sciences, La Trobe University, Geelong, VIC 3217, AustraliaPsychology Department, School of Applied Health, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3000, AustraliaBackground: Psychological safety is a key concern in the workplace as organisations continue to see increases in psychological injuries that have significant ramifications on individuals and workplaces. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this issue in healthcare workforces facing extraordinary pressures. This preliminary study aims to enhance our understanding of the factors that healthcare workers value in relation to psychological safety in their respective healthcare settings. Methods: To achieve the research objective, qualitative self-reflection examples were conducted with 12 participants from various health professional backgrounds across public, private, and aged-care settings. The data obtained were thematically analysed using NVivo software (V 12), enabling the identification of key elements associated with psychologically safe workplaces. Results: The results revealed several significant elements that contribute to psychologically safe workplaces in healthcare settings. These elements include effective communication, organisational culture, leadership practices, performance feedback mechanisms, respect among colleagues, staff development opportunities, teamwork, and trust. The findings underscore the critical importance of these foundational elements in fostering psychological safety within healthcare. Conclusion: This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by specifically identifying the key elements that healthcare workers value in terms of psychological safety. By exploring a wide range of healthcare professionals’ perspectives, this research offers valuable insights into the unique challenges faced by healthcare workforces and the necessary conditions for fostering psychological safety. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to the lessons they provide for healthcare employers, highlighting the potential for improving workplace wellbeing and performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/10/1450COVID-19mental healthpsychologyfrontlinestaffworkers |
| spellingShingle | Karen T. Hallam Natasha Popovic Leila Karimi Identifying the Key Elements of Psychologically Safe Workplaces in Healthcare Settings Brain Sciences COVID-19 mental health psychology frontline staff workers |
| title | Identifying the Key Elements of Psychologically Safe Workplaces in Healthcare Settings |
| title_full | Identifying the Key Elements of Psychologically Safe Workplaces in Healthcare Settings |
| title_fullStr | Identifying the Key Elements of Psychologically Safe Workplaces in Healthcare Settings |
| title_full_unstemmed | Identifying the Key Elements of Psychologically Safe Workplaces in Healthcare Settings |
| title_short | Identifying the Key Elements of Psychologically Safe Workplaces in Healthcare Settings |
| title_sort | identifying the key elements of psychologically safe workplaces in healthcare settings |
| topic | COVID-19 mental health psychology frontline staff workers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/13/10/1450 |
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