Exploring the relationship between patient safety culture and the full-range leadership theory in primary care settings: a conceptual analysis.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the conceptual relationship between full-range leadership theory (FRLT) and patient safety culture in primary care settings, aiming to understand how leadership styles influence the development and sustainability of a culture prioritizing patient safety.

Design/methodology/approach: Using a conceptual analysis approach, the study builds a theoretical framework that integrates FRLT - which includes transformational, transactional and laissez-faire leadership styles - with the elements of patient safety culture. This framework serves as the basis for a comprehensive literature review, allowing for the formulation of hypotheses regarding the impact of each leadership style on patient safety culture.

Findings: The analysis demonstrates that transformational leadership bolsters patient safety culture by fostering open communication, encouraging error reporting and facilitating continuous improvement. Transactional leadership yields mixed effects, effectively supporting compliance and operational outcomes but showing limitations in promoting a proactive safety culture. Conversely, laissez-faire leadership is associated with negative outcomes for patient safety culture, mainly due to its passive and detached approach.

Originality/value: The originality of this study is rooted in its focused examination of FRLT's impact on patient safety culture within primary care settings, the development of a unique conceptual framework and its contribution of actionable insights for health-care leadership. These elements collectively advance the understanding of how leadership can enhance patient safety culture, providing a solid foundation for future research and practical application in primary care environments.