Psychological Safety in Pediatric Oncology: An Interprofessional Survey

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.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.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.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.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.