Investigating discrepancies in perceptions regarding the  provision of  hospital Rest and Relaxation spaces in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A qualitative study

Kim A. Walker; Kathryn B. Cunningham; Julie Ferguson; Kathrine Gibson-Smith; Gillian Scanlan; Joanne Elizabeth Cecil; Lisi Gordon; Anita Helen Laidlaw; Lindsey  Pope; Johnston Peter; Gillian Aitken

doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096154

Investigating discrepancies in perceptions regarding the provision of hospital Rest and Relaxation spaces in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A qualitative study

Kim A. Walker (Lead / Corresponding author)
, Kathryn B. Cunningham
, Julie Ferguson
, Kathrine Gibson-Smith
, Gillian Scanlan
, Joanne Elizabeth Cecil
, Lisi Gordon
, Anita Helen Laidlaw
, Lindsey Pope
, Johnston Peter
, Gillian Aitken

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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Abstract

Objectives To investigate discrepancies in perceptions regarding the accessibility and availability of rest and relaxation (R&R) spaces between hospital doctors in Scotland and NHS Scotland regional health boards (HBs), with the intention of informing best practices for organisational policy on the provision of R&R spaces both now and in the future.

Design A qualitative study, through an inhabited institutionalism (II) lens, of semi-structured interviews of hospital doctors across the career continuum in Scotland and all NHS regional HBs in Scotland providing written information relating to R&R space provision.

Setting NHS Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Participants Hospital doctors (n=30) who had participated in a larger qualitative study and provided specific insights on R&R spaces. All NHS Scotland regional HBs (n=14).

Results Although HBs reported the provision of R&R spaces, numerous doctors reported R&R spaces had been removed, relocated or were inaccessible. Furthermore, limited awareness of their availability attributed to inadequate communication, compounded the issue. This divergence between institutional reporting and front-line experience can be interpreted through the lens of II, which posits that institutional polices are often interpreted and implemented differently.

Conclusions This study emphasises how crucial R&R spaces are to promoting doctors’ well-being especially during the time of high stress. HBs must not only guarantee the accessibility and physical availability of R&R spaces but also enhance their communication regarding the provision.

Original language	English
Article number	e096154
Number of pages	8
Journal	BMJ Open
Volume	15
Issue number	8
Early online date	12 Aug 2025
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096154
Publication status	Published - 12 Aug 2025

Keywords

COVID-19
Health Workforce
Organisation of health services

ASJC Scopus subject areas

General Medicine

Access to Document

10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096154Licence: CC BY

Final Published VersionFinal published version, 491 KBLicence: CC BY

Cite this

Walker, K. A., Cunningham, K. B., Ferguson, J., Gibson-Smith, K., Scanlan, G., Cecil, J. E., Gordon, L., Laidlaw, A. H., Pope, L., Peter, J., & Aitken, G. (2025). Investigating discrepancies in perceptions regarding the provision of hospital Rest and Relaxation spaces in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A qualitative study. BMJ Open, 15(8), Article e096154. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096154

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abstract = "Objectives To investigate discrepancies in perceptions regarding the accessibility and availability of rest and relaxation (R\&R) spaces between hospital doctors in Scotland and NHS Scotland regional health boards (HBs), with the intention of informing best practices for organisational policy on the provision of R\&R spaces both now and in the future. Design A qualitative study, through an inhabited institutionalism (II) lens, of semi-structured interviews of hospital doctors across the career continuum in Scotland and all NHS regional HBs in Scotland providing written information relating to R\&R space provision. Setting NHS Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Participants Hospital doctors (n=30) who had participated in a larger qualitative study and provided specific insights on R\&R spaces. All NHS Scotland regional HBs (n=14). Results Although HBs reported the provision of R\&R spaces, numerous doctors reported R\&R spaces had been removed, relocated or were inaccessible. Furthermore, limited awareness of their availability attributed to inadequate communication, compounded the issue. This divergence between institutional reporting and front-line experience can be interpreted through the lens of II, which posits that institutional polices are often interpreted and implemented differently. Conclusions This study emphasises how crucial R\&R spaces are to promoting doctors{\textquoteright} well-being especially during the time of high stress. HBs must not only guarantee the accessibility and physical availability of R\&R spaces but also enhance their communication regarding the provision.",

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Walker, KA, Cunningham, KB, Ferguson, J, Gibson-Smith, K, Scanlan, G, Cecil, JE, Gordon, L, Laidlaw, AH, Pope, L, Peter, J & Aitken, G 2025, 'Investigating discrepancies in perceptions regarding the provision of hospital Rest and Relaxation spaces in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A qualitative study', BMJ Open, vol. 15, no. 8, e096154. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096154

Investigating discrepancies in perceptions regarding the provision of hospital Rest and Relaxation spaces in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: A qualitative study. / Walker, Kim A. (Lead / Corresponding author); Cunningham, Kathryn B.; Ferguson, Julie et al.
In: BMJ Open, Vol. 15, No. 8, e096154, 12.08.2025.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - Investigating discrepancies in perceptions regarding the provision of hospital Rest and Relaxation spaces in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond

T2 - A qualitative study

AU - Walker, Kim A.

AU - Cunningham, Kathryn B.

AU - Ferguson, Julie

AU - Gibson-Smith, Kathrine

AU - Scanlan, Gillian

AU - Cecil, Joanne Elizabeth

AU - Gordon, Lisi

AU - Laidlaw, Anita Helen

AU - Pope, Lindsey

AU - Peter, Johnston

AU - Aitken, Gillian

PY - 2025/8/12

Y1 - 2025/8/12

N2 - Objectives To investigate discrepancies in perceptions regarding the accessibility and availability of rest and relaxation (R&R) spaces between hospital doctors in Scotland and NHS Scotland regional health boards (HBs), with the intention of informing best practices for organisational policy on the provision of R&R spaces both now and in the future. Design A qualitative study, through an inhabited institutionalism (II) lens, of semi-structured interviews of hospital doctors across the career continuum in Scotland and all NHS regional HBs in Scotland providing written information relating to R&R space provision. Setting NHS Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Participants Hospital doctors (n=30) who had participated in a larger qualitative study and provided specific insights on R&R spaces. All NHS Scotland regional HBs (n=14). Results Although HBs reported the provision of R&R spaces, numerous doctors reported R&R spaces had been removed, relocated or were inaccessible. Furthermore, limited awareness of their availability attributed to inadequate communication, compounded the issue. This divergence between institutional reporting and front-line experience can be interpreted through the lens of II, which posits that institutional polices are often interpreted and implemented differently. Conclusions This study emphasises how crucial R&R spaces are to promoting doctors’ well-being especially during the time of high stress. HBs must not only guarantee the accessibility and physical availability of R&R spaces but also enhance their communication regarding the provision.

AB - Objectives To investigate discrepancies in perceptions regarding the accessibility and availability of rest and relaxation (R&R) spaces between hospital doctors in Scotland and NHS Scotland regional health boards (HBs), with the intention of informing best practices for organisational policy on the provision of R&R spaces both now and in the future. Design A qualitative study, through an inhabited institutionalism (II) lens, of semi-structured interviews of hospital doctors across the career continuum in Scotland and all NHS regional HBs in Scotland providing written information relating to R&R space provision. Setting NHS Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Participants Hospital doctors (n=30) who had participated in a larger qualitative study and provided specific insights on R&R spaces. All NHS Scotland regional HBs (n=14). Results Although HBs reported the provision of R&R spaces, numerous doctors reported R&R spaces had been removed, relocated or were inaccessible. Furthermore, limited awareness of their availability attributed to inadequate communication, compounded the issue. This divergence between institutional reporting and front-line experience can be interpreted through the lens of II, which posits that institutional polices are often interpreted and implemented differently. Conclusions This study emphasises how crucial R&R spaces are to promoting doctors’ well-being especially during the time of high stress. HBs must not only guarantee the accessibility and physical availability of R&R spaces but also enhance their communication regarding the provision.

KW - COVID-19

KW - Health Workforce

KW - Organisation of health services

U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096154

DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-096154

M3 - Article

C2 - 40803738

SN - 2044-6055

VL - 15

JO - BMJ Open

JF - BMJ Open

IS - 8

M1 - e096154

ER -