Over the past decades, considerable progress has been made in improving patient safety through technological advances, protocols, and organizational systems. Yet, the role of the individual healthcare professional remains equally important.
In Beyond the Scrubs, Kirsten Dabekaussen explores how healthcare professionals’ behaviors, attitudes, motivation, and mindset relate to the quality and safety of patient care.
Through five studies, the thesis examines factors that may hinder or support safe, high-quality care. The research shows that unprofessional behavior is frequently encountered in clinical practice and explores how healthcare organizations can identify and address such behavior. It also introduces SHARP, a prototype instrument developed to assess potentially hazardous attitudes among surgeons.
Furthermore, the findings highlight the relevance of autonomous work motivation for proactive behavior and quality improvement. Research among Dutch surgeons also shows that those with a stronger growth mindset report more frequent engagement in self-regulated learning.
Together, these studies contribute to a broader understanding of the human factors involved in patient safety. They emphasize the importance of self-awareness, professional behavior, and continuous learning, alongside supportive organizational cultures and well-designed healthcare systems.
Find the full thesis here: Beyond the scrubs: Studies into health care professionals’ behaviors, attitudes, motivation and mindset in the context of patient quality and safety
