Influence of authentic leadership on the patient safety climate in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

More flexible, authentic and contemporary styles of leadership have contributed to the satisfaction of workers and patients, as well as the reduction of adverse events. Especially in the current situation, in which the world is experiencing the COVID-19 epidemic, authentic leaders are essential, given that they have the potential to lead the team towards positive results related to patient safety. Thus, this study aims to analyze the relationship between the nurse's leadership and the safety climate of hospitals that serve patients affected by COVID-19. This is an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study, to be carried out in six public and private institutions in the Federal District and the State of São Paulo that are a reference for the care of COVID-19. The population will consist of nurses, nursing technicians and assistants who work in the medical clinic and intensive care units of these institutions who will answer the Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ), Rater version, and the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire (SAQ). For the analysis of the characterization data of the subjects, descriptive statistics will be used. The numerical variables will be analyzed with the student's t test, for comparisons of means between the groups; and categorical variables with the chi-square test, to compare proportions between groups. The relationship between security climate and perceptions of authentic leadership will be assessed through hierarchical regression analysis. The project will be submitted to the Research Ethics Committee of the Ribeirão Preto School of Nursing - USP, in order to comply with the requirements of Resolution 466/2012 of the National Health Council. This study has the potential to generate results that will contribute to the practice, enabling changes in future behaviors, especially in this context of a pandemic, in which effective leadership it is essential to ensure the provision of safe and quality care. (AU)