Constructing high-quality rest facilities to maximise performance and ensure patient safety

Abstract

IntroductionJunior doctors are working in an increasingly overstretched National Health Service. In 2018, Kettering General Hospital (KGH) was awarded £60 800 of government funds to create high-quality rest facilities and improve junior doctor well-being.MethodsAn audit and survey in KGH identified the structural and functional improvements needed. From November 2019 to June 2020, £47 841.24 was spent on creating new rest facilities. On completion, a postaction review assessed how the changes impacted morale, well-being and quality of patient care.ResultsThe majority of doctors were happy with the new rest areas (60%), a majority felt that they would use the on-call room area (63%) and the renovation improved morale and well-being. There was an increased ability to take breaks. However, the majority of doctors are not exception-reporting missing breaks: 79% (2019), 74% (2020).Conclusions and ImplicationsThis report recommends the maintenance of increased staffing levels and rest facilities during the recovery phase of COVID-19. The remaining £12 958.76 should be directed at sustaining the quality of KGH rest facilities. Lastly, the rate of exception-reporting must be increased through improving awareness, exploring alternative methods and supporting the action when necessary. The continual investment into rest facilities ensures workforce well-being and translates into patient safety.

Exploring the Association Between the Healthcare Design Elements and Physician Well-Being: A Scoping Review

“…This helps me to feel more relaxed and enhances my mood.” However, because this study assessed all clinic staff, the data regarding physician perceptions were highly limited. Residents were asked about their well-being following the establishment of a new relaxation center that was quiet and had low light for resting and/or studying (Silva et al, 2021). They found a large increase in residents’ ability to rest during breaks and that the residents found the new space to be relaxing and restful.…”

“…Of the sixteen studies that met the inclusion criteria, all had been found in peer-reviewed journals. Nine were conducted in Europe (Björndell & Premberg, 2021; Brambilla et al, 2020; Rice et al, 2008; Lupo et al, 2021; Pleban et al, 2021; Raffier-Peres & Estryn-Behar, 2015; Ratnapalan et al, 2011; Sen et al, 2018; Silva et al, 2021), three in East Asia (Lin et al, 2013; Waroonkun, 2020; Wu et al, 2008), two in the Middle East (Jalili et al, 2013; Kebapcı & Güner, 2021) and one each in Brazil (Marques et al, 2018) and South Africa (Folscher et al, 2015). Notably, none of the studies that met the inclusion criteria had been conducted in the United States, indicating a significant gap in the literature.…”

“…Qualitative-only methodologies were implemented in two studies (Björndell & Premberg, 2021; Kebapcı & Güner, 2021) to evaluate physician perceptions of the association between built environment and well-being. Four studies used mixed-methods designs, utilizing surveys and interviews, to explore how the built environment was linked to physician satisfaction (Folscher et al, 2015; Pleban et al, 2021; Silva et al, 2021; Waroonkun, 2020). Two studies used cross-sectional comparison design to compare well-being across two different built environments (Brambilla et al, 2020; Sen et al, 2018), and seven used cross-sectional correlations to evaluate the relationship between exposure to various built environment elements and well-being (Jalili et al, 2013; Lin et al, 2013; Lupo et al, 2021; Marques et al, 2018; Raffier-Peres & Estryn-Behar, 2015; Ratnapalan et al, 2011; Wu et al, 2008).…”

Workforce wellbeing centres and their positive role for wellbeing and presenteeism in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: secondary analysis of COVID-Well data

“…PFA training can improve basic psychological skills in frontline workers [ 37 ], and is advocated for those working in high-risk environments, such as the healthcare setting [ 38 ]. Work breaks are recognised as key to fostering a caring environment by preventing stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue [ 39 ], and the provision of high-quality rest spaces has been shown to impact on staff morale, well-being, and quality of patient care [ 1 , 40 ].…”

The protective role of staff wellbeing centres for wellbeing and presenteeism in healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic: Secondary analysis of COVID-Well data

“…PFA training can improve basic psychological skills in frontline workers [37], and is advocated for those working in high-risk environments, such as the healthcare setting [38]. Work breaks are recognised as key to fostering a caring environment by preventing stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue [39], and the provision of high-quality rest spaces has been shown to impact on staff morale, wellbeing, and quality of patient care [1,40].…”