Psychological safety isn’t a trend. It’s a well-established concept with a strong evidence base, and it matters deeply in healthcare. It refers to the shared belief among team members that it’s safe to speak up, ask questions, raise concerns or admit mistakes—without fear of embarrassment or punishment. This belief directly shapes how people contribute and collaborate, particularly in complex, high-stakes environments like healthcare.
In a setting where collaboration underpins care, psychological safety makes it more likely that people will clarify information, contribute their knowledge and engage in the kind of open dialogue needed to make sound decisions. It supports the conditions for good care: discussion, feedback, reflection and learning.
Healthcare is inherently collaborative. It involves people with different roles and areas of expertise working across time and settings—medical and nursing staff, allied health, admin, pathology, pharmacy and more. Effective care depends on pooling this collective knowledge and making decisions together.
But collaboration doesn’t happen by default. High-quality teamwork relies on specific behaviours and skills. It takes self-awareness, communication, and the ability to navigate power dynamics and strong personalities. It’s deliberate, skilled work.
Teams perform better when:
- everyone contributes
- ideas are tested and debated
- disagreement and questions are welcomed
- mistakes can be acknowledged and corrected
- feedback and learning are built into the process
Psychological safety supports all of this. It enables team members to:
- share ideas and ask questions
- speak up when they’re unsure
- admit errors and learn from them
- engage in open discussion and healthy conflict
These behaviours lead to stronger collaboration, better performance and more sustainable workplace cultures.
Ready to build psychological safety in your team?
Find out what it is, why it matters and how to embed it in your everyday practice.
AMA Victoria’s new one-on-one professional development program, Creating Psychological Safety at Work, is now open for enrolment. Designed for doctors who want to foster inclusive, healthy and high-functioning teams, this program offers practical, skills-based approaches you can apply directly to your current context.
Learn more and Enrol: AMAV - Creating psychological safety at work
Other resources
AMAV - Leadership insight #1/2025: The business case for our new psychological safety CPD offering
The goal of these short 'Leadership Insights' is to share key concepts and ideas on effective leadership, along with practical tips for applying them in your own context. Members, look for a new insight every two weeks in the Check-up.
Dr Anna Clark (PhD) is AMAV's leadership consultant, coach and educator, currently offering individual coaching for doctors and directing AMA Victoria’s professional development programs in leadership, the Emerging Leader Program and Middle Leader Program.
If you are navigating a leadership challenge and would like to speak with one of our leadership coaches, schedule a Leader Check-In, an exclusive benefit for AMA Victoria members.