Health and social care organisations are made up of teams which are the most important determinant of our daily work–life experience. Teams affect the mental health and wellbeing of staff, determine care quality and should be constant sources of innovation, shaping the environment to ensure effective, high-quality, continually improving and compassionate care.
Achieving good outcomes is dependent on the quality of teamworking and a team climate of psychological safety. Evidence and staff experience indicate the importance of developing psychologically safe environments. Psychological safety describes a team climate characterised by inclusivity, interpersonal trust and mutual respect in which people are comfortable being themselves and expressing their views. Such psychological safety is vital for effectiveness in health and social care.
This article outlines some of the key factors in achieving psychological safety. READ MORE: REAL Pages 6 7 – Professor Michael West