Safety Culture in the News

Safety Culture in the News

Michigan State's Dean's Update | August 21

Michigan State’s Dean’s Update | August 21 … Physicians, and I am going to lump in medical students here, need to be leaders in this time, and we need to maintain and promote the standards of our profession. One struggle we have long faced is the need to correct the professionalism of our colleagues. It is not easy, but as a profession, we have to say something when we see something amiss in the behaviors of our fellow physicians and students.

Importantly, we have to remember that we all make mistakes, and reminders about social distancing and mask or shield wearing are about helping each other perform and behave safely. We are never about belittling or scolding each other. Organizations with a real safety culture correct mistakes and only punish recklessness or disregard for the needs of others. And, crucially, getting feedback that we are not in our mask or we are not spatially distancing, or our evening plans are not consistent with public health, should result in thanking the person who reminded us and by making the correction.