Health and Social Care Professionals’ Experience of Psychological Safety Within Their Occupational Setting: A Thematic Synthesis Review

Abstract

Objective: Psychological safety (PS) is essential for health and social care professionals (HSCPs) working in high-stress environments. While much of the existing research focuses on PS within teams, less is known about HSCPs’ lived experiences across diverse health and social care settings. This scoping review aims to synthesise the qualitative literature on PS, identifying key barriers and enablers to its development in health and social care workplaces. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library, covering a 20-year period (2004–2024). Eligible studies included primary qualitative research exploring HSCPs’ experiences of PS. Screening and data extraction were managed using Rayyan. An inductive thematic synthesis approach was applied to identify key patterns in the data. Results: The review identified several enablers and barriers to PS. The main enablers included (1) feeling safe within the team and (2) personal factors, which encompassed professional skills, experience, social support, and self-care. Conversely, key barriers were identified: (1) the normalisation of traumatic incidents, (2) unsupportive team and management structures, (3) organisational constraints, and (4) a lack of knowledge and training on PS. Conclusions: Understanding the enablers and barriers of PS is critical for improving workplace culture, resilience, and wellbeing among HSCPs. These findings provide a foundation for future research and interventions aimed at strengthening PS at individual, team, and organisational levels across diverse health and social care settings. The results also offer valuable insights for informing policies and practice to ultimately enhance both staff wellbeing and patient care quality.