Medical Professionals’ Responses to a Patient Safety Incident in Healthcare

Objectives: Patient safety incidents (PSIs) are common in healthcare. Open communication facilitated by psychological safety in healthcare could contribute to the prevention of PSIs and enhance patient safety. The aim of the study was to explore medical professionals’ responses to a PSI in relation to psychological safety in Slovak healthcare.Methods: Sixteen individual semi-structured interviews with Slovak medical professionals were performed. Obtained qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the conventional content analysis method and the consensual qualitative research method.Results: We identified eight responses to a PSI from medical professionals themselves as well as their colleagues, many of which were active and with regard to ensuring patient safety (e.g., notification), but some of them were passive and ultimately threatening patients’ safety (e.g., silence). Five superiors’ responses to the PSI were identified, both positive (e.g., supportive) and negative (e.g., exaggerated, sharp).Conclusion: Medical professionals’ responses to a PSI are diverse, indicating a potential for enhancing psychological safety in healthcare.