Psychological safety is a critical organizational priority. It ensures that medical staff feel confident taking interpersonal risks—such as sharing ideas, asking questions, acknowledging mistakes, or challenging existing practices—without fear of rejection, humiliation, or punitive consequences. Fostering an environment where staff feel respected and safe to be vulnerable supports greater learning, innovation, and overall performance.
The Doctors of BC 2023 survey identified a strong need for the development of additional resources and tools to improve psychological safety for medical staff at Island Health. As a result, the Culture Conference Planning Committee was created to develop educational opportunities to promote and improve Psychological Safety in the Workplace. The Island Health Culture Conference offers medical staff foundational knowledge of psychological safety in the workplace, practical strategies, resources, and tools to help address and improve psychological safety.
The inaugural 2025 Culture Conference: Psychological Safety in the Workplace conference was held in Nanaimo, 28 April, 2025. It featured guest speakers, a debate, discussion groups and PechaKucha sessions - Japan’s version of TED Talk. The 2025 Conference program shares full event details.
The 2027 Culture Conference is taking place on April 8, 2027. There will be the opportunity to attend in-person, in Nanaimo, or to participate virtually. Click here to access the page - when it becomes live.