Patient Emotional Safety: A Dimensional Concept Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Quality
• Patient Safety
• Psychology

Background:

• Patient reports of emotional harm highlight the need to prioritize emotional safety in healthcare.
• Emotional safety is increasingly recognized as a critical component of overall patient safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a dimensional concept analysis to define the dimensions of patient emotional safety.
• To propose a preliminary definition and characterize patient emotional safety within healthcare interactions.

Main Methods:

• Dimensional concept analysis was employed.
• The analysis focused on identifying key dimensions characterizing patient emotional safety.

Main Results:

• Patient emotional safety is characterized by individual and structural dimensions.
• Key dimensions identified include autonomy, human connectedness, practice of structural humility, and a secure environment.
• A preliminary definition of patient emotional safety was established.

Conclusions:

• Understanding patient emotional safety is an initial step towards improving healthcare.
• This research informs future studies, education, practice, and advocacy for enhanced patient safety.
• Focusing on emotional safety can lead to better quality of care and health outcomes.