A comparison of handover communication in NHS and military emergency care. (2nd April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Slope, Rowena; Pope, Catherine; Crouch, Robert; Bernthal, Elizabeth MM
• Is Part Of: Journal of paramedic practice. Volume 12:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 151
• Page End: 156
• Publication Date: 2020-04-02
• Subjects: Handover -- Communication -- Military -- Emergency care settings -- Transition; Emergency medicine -- Periodicals; Emergency medical technicians -- Periodicals; 616.025
• DOI: 10.12968/jpar.2020.12.4.151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-1376

Abstract

Abstract : Background: There is a gap in the literature comparing communication during handover between military and NHS emergency care settings. Objectives: This study aimed to explore differences in handover communication in the NHS and the military, and to understand how paramedics manage the transition between settings. Design: This was a qualitative study for which 13 paramedics were interviewed. It focused on handover communication in NHS emergency care settings and Camp Bastion Hospital, Afghanistan. Methods: Interviews were conducted with regular and reservist paramedics serving in the Royal Air Force who had undertaken a deployment with the Medical Emergency Response Team. Semi-structured interviews were recorded, transcribed, coded and subjected to a thematic analysis. Results: Three principal themes were identified: differences between handover communication; standardisation; and the challenge of transition. Conclusion: Participants were most concerned about standardisation. Transition theory and resilience may account for the difficulties encountered when transitioning between different care settings.