Patients experiences of bedside handover: findings from a meta‐synthesis

Abstract

Background Bedside shift reports have been recently recommended to ensure handovers. However, no evidence summarising studies designed to determine the qualitative approaches capable of better understanding patient experience have been published to date. Aim The aim of this study was to acquire a deeper understanding of the experiences of patients regarding bedside shift reports. Data sources and review methods A systematic review of qualitative studies followed by a meta‐synthesis method based upon Sandelowski's and Barroso's guidelines was performed. Four databases were systematically explored (PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and PsycINFO) without any limitation in time and up to the 31 August 2018. A total of 10 studies were included and evaluated in their methodological quality; then, a thematic synthesis was developed to synthetize the findings. Results Three major themes reflect patients’ experience regarding the bedside shift reports: (i) ‘Being involved’; (ii) ‘Being the centre of nursing care processes’; and (iii) ‘Experiencing critical issues’. Patients are supportive of bedside shift reports as a right, as an opportunity to be involved, and of being in the centre of the nursing care process. By designing and implementing bedside shift reports, nurses also have an opportunity to increase patient safety and to provide concrete proof of the advancements achieved by the nursing profession in recent years. Conclusions The bedside shift reports experience has been little studied to date from the perspective of patients. According to the findings, implementation of the bedside shift reports should include providing education to nurses with regard to the preferences and expectations of patients, as well as the critical issues that they can experience during the bedside shift reports. Presenting the bedside shift reports method, asking patient consent, discussing potential critical issues and the degree of involvement preferred at hospital admission, is strongly recommended.

Development and psychometric testing of the patient participation in bedside handover survey

“…Notably, fewer items about patient conditions loaded on all factors. Researchers have demonstrated that patients have a strong preference for handover to occur at the bedside, 40 and view being involved in bedside handover as their right 41 . Thus, we suspect there was a low variation on items, such as ‘I want handover to take place at my bedside, with me present’ and ‘I think bedside handover is important’, resulting in their removal.…”

“…Researchers have demonstrated that patients have a strong preference for handover to occur at the bedside, 40 and view being involved in bedside handover as their right. 41 Thus, we suspect there was a low variation on items, such as ‘I want handover to take place at my bedside, with me present’ and ‘I think bedside handover is important’, resulting in their removal. Additionally, patients' desire for information via bedside handover often far outweighs their concerns about confidentiality, 7 , 41 with recent research showing that no patients in semiprivate rooms refused bedside handover.…”

“… 41 Thus, we suspect there was a low variation on items, such as ‘I want handover to take place at my bedside, with me present’ and ‘I think bedside handover is important’, resulting in their removal. Additionally, patients' desire for information via bedside handover often far outweighs their concerns about confidentiality, 7 , 41 with recent research showing that no patients in semiprivate rooms refused bedside handover. 42 , 43 This was supported by our convergent/divergent construct validity analyses showing that being in a shared room had no effect on the factors.…”

Patient participation in electronic nursing documentation: An interview study among home‐care patients

“…These patients should not be pressured to participate in documentation, given that would be contrasting with the principle of need‐driven care, as was also indicated in previous research. 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 Nevertheless, in a qualitative interview study nurses indicated they still could involve patients to some extent, via verbal communication about the nursing care. 18 …”

“…These patients should not be pressured to participate in documentation, given that would be contrasting with the principle of need-driven care, as was also indicated in previous research. [34][35][36][37] Nevertheless, in a qualitative interview study nurses indicated they still could involve patients to some extent, via verbal communication about the nursing care. 18 At the same time, patients in the type 'high need, low ability' indicated that although they felt a need for participation, they did not always feel able to participate, for instance, because they could not read the electronic nursing documentation.…”