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Opening up space for compassion in nurses' handover meetings
Harriet Lloyd1, Tom Bartlett2, Michelle Aldridge-Waddon1
1Cardiff University.
Nursing handovers can foster compassion by representing patients as humans, not just cases. This "Compassion Talk" in non-scripted interactions highlights shared humanity and improves patient care.
Area of Science:
- Medical Sociology
- Nursing Studies
- Communication in Healthcare
Background:
- Compassion is vital in healthcare but challenging to integrate into routine practice.
- Nursing handovers are critical for patient information transfer and team communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze how patient representation in nursing handovers demonstrates and evokes compassion.
- To explore the role of "Compassion Talk" in non-scripted interactions during handovers.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative analysis of non-scripted talk (NST) from three UK nursing handover meetings.
- Focus on data-led interpretation of patient representation.
Main Results:
- NST represents patients highlighting shared humanity and making compassionate actions seem necessary.
- Experienced nurses effectively manage NST, positioning patients within social groups.
- Handovers serve as a space for professional regrouping and humanistic patient connection.
Conclusions:
- "Compassion Talk" in nursing handovers can enhance patient care beyond standard information exchange.
- Handovers can be a space for nurses to connect with patients on a human level, reinforcing professional values.
- Effective management of non-scripted talk is key to leveraging handovers for compassionate care.
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