Psychological Safety in Pediatric Oncology: An Interprofessional Survey

Abstract

Background

Psychological safety (PS) is essential for effective teamwork in pediatrics. However, the factors influencing PS and the challenges it poses have hardly been researched. The aim of the study is to assess the perception of PS in the interprofessional team of a pediatric oncology unit. Factors such as error culture, communication, and workload are to be analyzed.

Methods

In 2024, employees (nursing and medical staff) on a tertiary pediatric oncology ward were surveyed in a digital, anonymous, pretested questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised 31 items that were evaluated using a six-point Likert scale.

Results

Response rate was 62%. The results show positive trends in communication, but challenges in workload and induction of new employees. Deficits in feedback and error culture became apparent.

Discussion

The findings of our study highlight the need for further research on the factors influencing PS in pediatrics. Future studies should investigate the relationships between PS, communication, and workload to better understand the complexities of team dynamics in pediatrics.

Conclusions

Our study shows that PS is of crucial importance in pediatric oncology and can be assessed using an easy-to-use digital tool. Future research should focus on developing and evaluating interventions to enhance PS and its effects on team dynamics and patient care, with a focus on improving teamwork and job satisfaction in pediatric oncology settings, and exploring the potential benefits of PS on patient outcomes.

Zusammenfassung

Hintergrund

Psychologische Sicherheit (PS) ist für eine effektive Teamarbeit in der Pädiatrie unerlässlich. Die Einflussfaktoren auf PS sind jedoch kaum erforscht. Ziel der Studie ist es, die Wahrnehmung von PS im interprofessionellen Team einer pädiatrischen Onkologie zu untersuchen. Dabei sollen Faktoren wie Fehlerkultur, Kommunikation und Arbeitsbelastung analysiert werden.

Methoden

Im Jahr 2024 wurden Mitarbeitende (Pflege- und medizinisches Personal) einer pädiatrischen Onkologie mit einem digitalen, anonymen, vorab getesteten Fragebogen befragt. Der Fragebogen umfasste 31 Items, die anhand einer sechsstufigen Likert-Skala bewertet wurden.

Ergebnisse

Die Rücklaufquote lag bei 62%. Die Ergebnisse zeigen positive Trends in der Kommunikation, aber Herausforderungen bei der Arbeitsbelastung und der Einarbeitung neuer Mitarbeiter. Es wurden Defizite in Bezug auf Feedback und Fehlerkultur deutlich.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse unserer Studie unterstreichen die Notwendigkeit weiterer Forschung zu den Faktoren, die PS in der Pädiatrie beeinflussen. Zukünftige Studien sollten die Beziehungen zwischen PS, Kommunikation und Arbeitsbelastung untersuchen, um die Komplexität der Teamdynamik in der Pädiatrie besser zu verstehen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Unsere Studie zeigt, dass PS in der pädiatrischen Onkologie von entscheidender Bedeutung ist und anhand eines einfach zu handhabenden digitalen Werkzeuges erfasst werden kann. Zukünftige Forschungsarbeiten sollten sich auf die Entwicklung und Bewertung von Interventionen zur Verbesserung von PS und seiner Auswirkungen auf die Teamdynamik und die Patientenversorgung konzentrieren, wobei der Schwerpunkt auf der Verbesserung der Teamarbeit und der Arbeitszufriedenheit in pädiatrisch-onkologischen Einrichtungen sowie auf der Erforschung der potenziellen Vorteile von PS für die Behandlungsergebnisse liegen sollte.

Keywords

Pediatrics - Interprofessionalism - Psychological Safety - Teamwork - Error Culture - Patient Safety

Schlüsselwörter

Pädiatrie - Interprofessionalität - Psychologische Sicherheit - Teamarbeit - Fehlerkultur - Patientensicherheit

Publication History

Article published online:
11 August 2025

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