Building a Safety-Centric Culture That Fosters Psychological Safety from Onboarding Onwards

Abstract

The healthcare system’s evolution mirrors the Industrial Revolution, advancing from Healthcare 1.0’s new economics and epidemics to Healthcare 2.0’s mass production. With Healthcare 3.0, micro-controllers and computers revolutionized diagnostics and education, ushering in evidence-based medicine. Now, the healthcare sector is preparing to embrace Health 4.0, integrating digital technology, cyber-physical systems, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) for personalized, proactive care, marking a shift toward a more unified, efficient, patient-centric model. Yet, Health 4.0 introduces risks like cybersecurity and ethical dilemmas, necessitating a culture of safety and human connection as a cornerstone within healthcare organizations. This chapter outlines how healthcare entities can become high-reliability organizations (HROs) and adept at navigating complex, risky environments to maintain high safety and performance standards by preempting threats. It delves into Safety 2.0, which focuses on learning from successes to enhance HRO practices. Emphasizing humble leadership and trust, the chapter highlights psychological safety’s role in fostering open communication, teamwork, and innovation. It offers guidance for integrating new staff and establishing safety norms in Health 4.0. Aimed at healthcare leaders, managers, and staff, this chapter provides insights into improving service safety, quality, and mental well-being in the sector.