Teamwork for Resilient Staff and Safe Care in ICU
This study, called 'Teamwork for Resilient Staff and Safe Care in ICU,' wants to understand how doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers in UK intensive care units (ICUs) work together. Researchers will spend time observing staff during their daily routines, like ward rounds and shift handovers. They will also interview key staff members to hear about their experiences. The aim is to find out what makes teamwork strong, what challenges staff face, and how these practices might have changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. This research hopes to find ways to make teamwork even better, which can help both staff wellbeing and patient care.
At a glance
What is this study about?
Imagine a very busy hospital ward where people are seriously ill – that's an intensive care unit (ICU). In these units, it's super important for all the doctors, nurses, and other staff to work together smoothly as a team. This study is all about understanding how that teamwork happens in real life.
Researchers will visit 10 different ICUs across the UK. They won't be giving out new medicines or treatments; instead, they'll be like observers, watching how staff go about their daily work. They'll see things like doctors discussing patient cases, nurses handing over care at the end of a shift, and team meetings. They'll also chat with some staff members to hear their thoughts and experiences on teamwork – what makes it good, and what makes it tough.
The main goal is to figure out what helps people work well together in ICUs and what challenges they face. They also want to see if teamwork has changed since the COVID-19 pandemic. By understanding this better, the hope is to find ways to support staff more effectively, which in turn can lead to even safer and better care for patients. This is a study about improving the way healthcare teams function.
Key takeaways
- This study focuses on understanding how healthcare teams work in intensive care units.
- Researchers will observe staff during their daily routines and conduct interviews.
- The aim is to identify what helps and hinders teamwork, especially after COVID-19.
- Participation involves observation and possibly an interview, not new treatments.
- The goal is to improve staff wellbeing and patient care by enhancing teamwork.
- All personal information will be kept private and confidential.
Who may be eligible?
This study is looking for healthcare professionals who work in an intensive care unit (ICU) within one of the selected hospitals taking part. This means doctors, nurses, and other staff directly involved in patient care in an ICU are generally who the researchers are interested in observing and speaking with.
If you don't work in an ICU, or if you're a patient or family member of a patient, this particular study isn't designed for you. It's specifically focused on the experiences of the healthcare teams themselves. You would also need to be working in one of the specific ICUs that the research team has chosen to visit.
Could this study suit you?
Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.
- Are you a healthcare professional (like a doctor, nurse, or therapist)?
- Do you work in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU)?
- Is your ICU one of the specific units chosen for this research study?
- Are you 18 years old or older?
What does participation involve?
If you're a healthcare professional in one of the chosen ICUs, taking part would mainly involve researchers observing your daily work for short periods, often around 20 minutes at a time. They might follow you during your rounds, shift handovers, or meetings. You'd be asked for your written permission before they observe you. Sometimes, they might have a quick, informal chat with you to understand something they've seen, but these won't be recorded.
Some key staff members will also be invited to have a one-on-one chat (interview) with a researcher. These interviews will allow you to share your thoughts and experiences about teamwork in more detail. Patients and their families will not have data collected on them, though they might be asked for their permission for a researcher to be present in the room during observations. The observations at each ICU will happen over about four weeks.
Potential risks and benefits
Locations (3)
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeHarefield, United Kingdom· Recruiting
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeSouthampton, United Kingdom· Recruiting
- Somerset NHS Foundation TrustVerified postcodeYeovil, United Kingdom· Recruiting
Common questions
What is an ICU?
An ICU stands for Intensive Care Unit. It's a special part of the hospital where people with very serious illnesses or injuries receive close monitoring and advanced medical care.
Will my name be used in the study?
No, all information collected will be kept private, and your name or any identifying details will not be used in the study results. Your observations will be 'pseudonymized,' meaning you'll be given a code name.
Do I have to do anything special if I'm a patient?
No, if you are a patient, you do not have to do anything. This study is about healthcare staff. You might be asked if a researcher can be present in your room for observation, but no information about you will be collected.
How long will the observations last?
Researchers will observe in short periods, typically around 20 minutes at a time, to minimise disruption to your work.
What will happen to the study results?
The findings from this study will be used to understand and improve teamwork in ICUs, potentially leading to better support for staff and better care for patients across the UK.
How to find out more
Andreas Xyrichis, PhD
Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.
Interested in taking part?
Discussion
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