Leader communication approaches and patient safety: An integrated model. (June 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mattson, Malin; Hellgren, Johnny; Göransson, Sara
• Is Part Of: Journal of safety research. Volume 53(2015:May)
• Page Start: 53
• Page End: 62
• Publication Date: 2015-06
• Subjects: Safety compliance -- Organizational citizenship behavior -- Incident reporting -- Safety performance; Industrial safety -- Periodicals; Accidents -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Safety -- Periodicals; Accidents, Occupational -- Periodicals; Sécurité du travail -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prévention -- Périodiques; Accidents -- Prevention; Industrial safety; Periodicals; 363.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsr.2015.03.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-4375

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Leader communication is known to influence a number of employee behaviors. When it comes to the relationship between leader communication and safety, the evidence is more scarce and ambiguous. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether and in what way leader communication relates to safety outcomes. The study examines two leader communication approaches: leader safety priority communication and feedback to subordinates. These approaches were assumed to affect safety outcomes via different employee behaviors. Method: Questionnaire data, collected from 221 employees at two hospital wards, were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results: The two examined communication approaches were both positively related to safety outcomes, although leader safety priority communication was mediated by employee compliance and feedback communication by organizational citizenship behaviors. Conclusion: The findings suggest that leader communication plays a vital role in improving organizational and patient safety and that different communication approaches seem to positively affect different but equally essential employee safety behaviors. Practical applications: The results highlights the necessity for leaders to engage in one-way communication of safety values as well as in more relational feedback communication with their subordinates in order to enhance patient safety. Highlights: Examines leader safety priority communication and feedback in relation to patient safety Both leader communication approaches are positively but indirectly related to patient safety. The effect of safety priority communication on patient safety is mediated by compliance and reporting. The effect of feedback on patient safety is mediated by organizational citizenship behavior and reporting.