Journals Information
Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 13(5), pp. 1083 - 1100
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130501
Reprint (PDF) (4155Kb)
Mapping Safety Culture Research: A Review on High-Impact Studies, Emerging Trends, and Conceptual Frameworks
Shaik Rajah Asif 1, D Vijaya Geeta 2, Sai Sudhakar Nudurupati 1, Jyoshna Pratty 3, Mukesh Kondala 1,*
1 Area of Operations & Supply Chain, GITAM School of Business, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (Deemed to be University), India
2 Area of Information Systems, GITAM School of Business, Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (Deemed to be University), India
3 Department of General Medicine, NRI Institute of Medical Sciences, Sangivalasa, Visakhapatnam-531163, India
ABSTRACT
Healthcare quality is significantly influenced by a safety culture, which aims to minimize medical errors, enhance risk management, and facilitate learning. Safety culture research has developed substantially, exploring leadership engagement, patient-centered care, organizational learning, and technology-enabled safety interventions. However, it has been impeded by systematic barriers in healthcare settings (hierarchical structures, inconsistent management support, fear of reprimand), hindering practical translation. This study conducts a bibliometric analysis of safety culture research between 2007 and 2024 using the Scopus database, examining publication growth, citation patterns, keyword evolution, and co-authorship networks. Qualitative thematic analysis was performed using NVivo software to investigate high-impact studies and trends. Results revealed significant growth in safety culture research after 2014, increased cross-disciplinary partnerships, and global contributions. Leadership, safety management, and patient-centered care were prominent themes, while AI-driven safety assessments and digital health technologies are emerging research frontiers. Longstanding challenges must be addressed, such as low error reporting rates, safety concerns from workload pressures, and perception gaps between frontline staff and managers. Recent trends indicate an increasing focus on patient-centered safety assessments, reflexivity in safety improvements, and transformational leadership in fostering a constructive safety culture. The study highlights the need for non-punitive reporting systems, leadership-driven safety culture strategies, and tailored interventions for healthcare settings. This evolving literature has precipitated methodological and thematic progress, but several issues remain unresolved. These findings have implications for policymakers, healthcare leaders, and researchers aiming to evolve safety culture models, increase interdisciplinary collaboration, and incorporate technological innovations to optimise patient outcomes. This study contributes to the literature on improving safety culture in healthcare organisations.
KEYWORDS
Safety Culture, Patient Safety, Healthcare Quality, Leadership, Teamwork, Continuous Improvement
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Shaik Rajah Asif , D Vijaya Geeta , Sai Sudhakar Nudurupati , Jyoshna Pratty , Mukesh Kondala , "Mapping Safety Culture Research: A Review on High-Impact Studies, Emerging Trends, and Conceptual Frameworks," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 13, No. 5, pp. 1083 - 1100, 2025. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130501.
(b). APA Format:
Shaik Rajah Asif , D Vijaya Geeta , Sai Sudhakar Nudurupati , Jyoshna Pratty , Mukesh Kondala (2025). Mapping Safety Culture Research: A Review on High-Impact Studies, Emerging Trends, and Conceptual Frameworks. Universal Journal of Public Health, 13(5), 1083 - 1100. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2025.130501.