Handover among junior doctors: a quality improvement study

Abstract

Background/Aims Handover is a procedure that ensures efficient transfer of clinical information across teams. It is also an opportunity for junior doctors to develop clinical competencies, communications skills and leadership. Poor handovers can result in delays, clinical errors, duplication of work, poor morale, increased length of hospital stay, and risk of harm to patients. Poor handovers were identified as an area of concern for two successive years in the General Medical Council's survey. Methods Measures were undertaken to address this by updating their handover policy, developing a new handover protocol and instigating rota monitoring by involving junior doctors and consultants through focus groups. A survey was conducted among the same cohort of junior doctors before and after the interventions. Findings There was a remarkable improvement in junior doctors' attitudes towards safety, frequency of face-to-face handover, use of a handover book, and overall positive experiences of the handover procedure. Conclusions It is worth examining the approach to handover among other health professionals and perhaps between professions regarding the same patients.