An Interactive Handoff Workshop to Improve Intern Readiness in Patient Care Transitions

Overview

Journal J Grad Med Educ

Date 2013 Mar 2

PMID 23451310

Citations 1

Authors

Michael Aylward

Lemuel Vawter

Craig Roth

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Patient handoffs are common during residency and are often performed with little or no training. We devised a simple intervention to improve the readiness of interns to perform handoffs.

Methods: We administered a 90-minute interactive workshop during intern orientation in 2009 and 2010. It consisted of a discussion, a case presentation, and a trigger video, followed by debriefing and a role-play exercise. The workshop required minimal technology and materials. Interns were surveyed on their readiness to perform handoffs before and after the workshop as well as 3 to 6 months after the workshop.

Results: Eighty-nine interns participated in the workshop during a 2-year period. Seventy-four survey responses were collected. Self-reported readiness to perform a handoff increased by 26%. A total of 91% and 81% of respondents in 2010 and 2009, respectively, reported using aspects of the workshop up to 6 months later.

Conclusion: A brief workshop can improve interns' readiness to perform handoffs.

Citing Articles

Initial assessment of patient handoff in accredited general surgery residency programs in the United States and Canada: a cross-sectional survey.

Saleem A, Paulus J, Vassiliou M, Parsons S Can J Surg. 2015; 58(4):269-77.

PMID: 26204366 PMC: 4512870. DOI: 10.1503/cjs.016414.

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