In Episode 39 of The HQ podcast, we dive into a vital discussion on “Just Culture” with David Marx, the celebrated thought leader who is considered by many to be the “father of just culture” in contemporary healthcare. Together, we unravel the intricacies of Just Culture—what it is, why it is critical in high-consequence industries such as healthcare, and how it can be fostered. 

David guides us through strategies for developing a culture that emphasizes not just safety but justice, managing risks, and enhancing accountability. Throughout the conversation, David provides his insights on how healthcare leaders and organizations can develop high-reliability systems that prioritize a Just Culture with the aim of better outcomes for all involved. Key to the conversation is also a very interesting discussion of the relationship between Just Culture and psychological safety – how they are importantly different, yet how they can complement one another.

This episode isn't just for healthcare professionals and leaders but for anyone invested in cultivating a fair, empathetic, and safe culture in any type of organization. Tune in to be enlightened, challenged, and inspired by an expert who has devoted his career to improving safety and reducing risks, all in the pursuit of a more just and compassionate healthcare landscape.

About David Marx

David Marx is CEO of The Just Culture Company, a U.S.-based risk management firm. David has a BS in Mechanical Systems Engineering (1985) and Juris Doctor in Law (1997). David’s firm currently spends the majority of its effort on helping high-consequence organizations develop values-supportive practices and culture.

In the healthcare sector, David has been working to help healthcare institutions and regulatory agencies reduce the risk of iatrogenic patient harm. He was on the Board of Advisors for the National Patient Safety Foundation and won the Institute of Safe Medication Practices’ Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on medication safety. In the area of healthcare safety culture, David authored the document, “Patient Safety and the ‘Just Culture’: A Primer for Healthcare Executives,” for the National Institutes of Health, and is considered the “father of just culture” in contemporary healthcare.

Helpful Links

David Marx | LinkedIn: Click Here

The Just Culture Company | Website: Click Here

The Just Culture Company | LinkedIn: Click Here

Article: Reckless Homicide at Vanderbilt, a Just Culture Analysis | Click Here

Article: Nine Behavioral Benchmarks Tied to Successful Implementation of a Just Culture within a Healthcare Organization | Click Here

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