Navigating veterinary error disclosure: An examination of humble leadership and safety attitudes in veterinary practices in Australia.

BACKGROUND: The veterinary environment faces distinct challenges in leadership and safety climates, with humble leadership linked to improved outcomes in other fields. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey assessed perceptions of humble leadership, psychological safety, safety climate and error disclosure attitudes in veterinary professionals in Australia. Demographic and professional-group differences, as well as associations and predictors of attitudes towards error disclosure were examined using non-parametric tests, correlation and logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Humble leadership perceptions differed by role (p < 0.001), with hospital directors reporting higher scores. Psychological safety scores were higher among men (p = 0.02). Among the professional roles, hospital directors reported the highest psychological safety (p < 0.001). Safety climate perceptions were more positive among full-time employees (p < 0.008) and those in teaching hospitals (p = 0.004). Psychological safety strongly correlated with humble leadership (ρ = 0.62; p < 0.001). Psychological safety (odds ratio [OR] = 1.11; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.15; p < 0.001) and leadership perceptions (OR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02-1.08; p < 0.001) significantly predicted positive attitudes towards error disclosure. LIMITATIONS: Selection bias may have overestimated perceptions of humble leadership and error disclosure among veterinary leaders. CONCLUSIONS: Humble leadership and psychological safety are important in promoting positive attitudes towards error disclosure.