Psychological Safety and Hierarchy in Operating Room Debriefing: Reflexive Thematic Analysis

Abstract

IntroductionDebriefing is a team discussion in a constructive, supportive environment. Barriers exist to consistent, effective team debriefing in the clinical setting, especially in operating theaters. The purpose of this study was to gain insights from frontline workers on how to set up an effective debriefing policy for our operating room. MethodsThis was a qualitative study in which we interviewed operating room workers in a tertiary children’s hospital. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and coded. Data were analysed using the reflexive thematic analysis technique within a critical realism paradigm. ResultsInterviews were analysed from 40 operating room staff: 14 nurses, seven anesthetic technicians, seven anaesthetists, and 12 surgeons; 25 (65%) were female. The three key themes were (1) “commitment to learning”—healthcare workers are committed to teamwork and quality improvement; (2) “it is a safe space”—psychological safety is a prerequisite for, and is enhanced by, debriefing; and (3) “natural leader”—the value of leadership, but also constructs around leadership that maintain hierarchies. ConclusionsPsychological safety is both a prerequisite for and a product of debriefing. Leadership, if viewed as a collective responsibility, could help break down power structures. Given the results of this study and evidence in the literature, it is likely that routine debriefing, if well done, will improve psychological safety, facilitate team learning, reduce errors, and improve patient safety.