Summary
For continuous professional development, it is imperative that physicians regularly receive performance feedback from their peers. Research shows that professionals are more proactive in learning and knowledge sharing with peers in teams with more psychological safety. Psychological safety has however not been studied in relation to peers' performance feedback.
This study, which investigated the association between physicians' perceptions of psychological safety and performance feedback received from their peers, included 105 physicians. Authors analyzed the data using multilevel linear regression analyses adjusted for physicians' sex, years since being certified a medical specialist, and months working in the clinic under the study.
Psychological safety was positively associated with physicians' perceptions of performance feedback from peers. Authors concluded that physicians who experienced more psychological safety were more likely to receive corrective and positive performance feedback from peers, explanations of feedback, and suggestions for improvement. Medical teams should consider investing in psychological safety to encourage performance feedback from peers, and thus support physicians' continuous professional development and their efforts to provide high-quality patient care.