A qualitative analysis of adding kindness into the ISBAR handover tool

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Management
• Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health challenges, including burnout and depression, among healthcare professionals, particularly junior doctors.
• Existing research primarily focuses on the prevalence of mental health issues rather than interventional strategies.
• Medical handovers represent a significant source of stress for junior doctors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the effectiveness of a new intervention involving an emotional support representative in morning labor ward handovers.
• To assess the impact of this intervention on the perception of safety and support among junior medical staff.

Main Methods:

• An ethnographic constructivist qualitative research design was employed.
• Focus groups were conducted with junior medical staff at a tertiary hospital in Perth, Western Australia.
• Fifty percent of the hospital's junior doctors participated in the study.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: inherent stress during labor ward handover, support strategies for junior doctors, communication and role modeling from senior doctors, and the benefits of an emotional support person.
• Junior doctors reported an improved perception of safety in a more supportive environment when an emotional support person was present.

Conclusions:

• The presence of an emotional support person during labor ward handover is a beneficial and novel interventional strategy.
• This intervention can be replicated in various obstetric units across Australia to improve junior doctor well-being.