Rest and relaxation spaces: Accessibility and availability for wellbeing of doctors

Kim Walker; Gill Aitken; Kathryn Cunningham; Katherine Gibson Smith; Gillian Scanlan; Jo Cecil; Lisi Gordon

doi:10.1111/tct.13542

Rest and relaxation spaces: Accessibility and availability for wellbeing of doctors

Kim Walker (Lead / Corresponding author), Gill Aitken, Kathryn Cunningham, Katherine Gibson Smith, Gillian Scanlan, Jo Cecil, Lisi Gordon

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

Abstract

Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on the wellbeing of healthcare workers at work, with Rest and Relaxation (R&R) spaces being identified as a key facility. However, differences between Scottish doctors exist in perception regarding their availability and accessibility. This research, part of a major study into doctors wellbeing, investigated the existence of dissonance in individual and organisational perceptions regarding the provision of R&R spaces and to identify potential barriers to access.

Methods: Data was collected via interviews with hospital doctors across NHS Scotland and questionnaires/Freedom of Information requests to NHS Scotland Regional Health Boards. Data was analysed using content analysis.

Results: Hospital doctors (n = 29) from across Scotland and all NHS Scotland Regional Health Boards (NHSBoards) were included in the analysis. Dissonance existed in the perceptions of hospital doctors and NHSBoards regarding the provision of R&R Spaces for NHS Scotland healthcare workers/staff during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Doctors reported that R&R Spaces had been removed from one-quarter of NHSBoards, whilst NHSBoards stated that R&R Spaces were still available. Barriers to accessing R&R Spaces existed for 16 doctors across 8 NHSBoards which included: Perceived removal of spaces, inconvenient location; lack of awareness of provision; restrictions on access.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that well-publicised initiatives to support staff do not always have the desired outcome. It is not enough to provide R&R spaces; consideration needs to be given to the accessibility and availability of the provision and ensuring all staff are aware of their existence via effective communication.

Original language	English
Article number	e13542
Pages (from-to)	55
Number of pages	1
Journal	Clinical Teacher
Volume	19
Issue number	S2
Early online date	28 Oct 2022
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1111/tct.13542
Publication status	Published - Oct 2022
Event	ASME 2022 – Future proof medical education: Practical wisdom and adapting to change - Aberdeen, United Kingdom Duration: 6 Jul 2022 → 8 Jul 2022 https://www.asme.org.uk/events/asm2022/

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Access to Document

10.1111/tct.13542

1 Meeting abstract

Composite narrative animations: A novel Method for encouraging doctors to access support for psychological wellbeing
Laidlaw, A. H., Tooman, T., Wakeling, J., Cunningham, K., Cecil, J. E. & Walker, K. A., Oct 2022, In: Clinical Teacher. 19, S2 Abstracts for ASME Annual Scholarship Meeting 2022, p. 74 1 p., e13542.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Meeting abstract › peer-review

Association for the Study of Medical Education research paper award finalist
Cunningham, K. (Recipient), 2022
Prize: Other distinction

Cite this

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title = "Rest and relaxation spaces: Accessibility and availability for wellbeing of doctors",

abstract = "Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on the wellbeing of healthcare workers at work, with Rest and Relaxation (R&R) spaces being identified as a key facility. However, differences between Scottish doctors exist in perception regarding their availability and accessibility. This research, part of a major study into doctors wellbeing, investigated the existence of dissonance in individual and organisational perceptions regarding the provision of R&R spaces and to identify potential barriers to access.Methods: Data was collected via interviews with hospital doctors across NHS Scotland and questionnaires/Freedom of Information requests to NHS Scotland Regional Health Boards. Data was analysed using content analysis.Results: Hospital doctors (n = 29) from across Scotland and all NHS Scotland Regional Health Boards (NHSBoards) were included in the analysis. Dissonance existed in the perceptions of hospital doctors and NHSBoards regarding the provision of R&R Spaces for NHS Scotland healthcare workers/staff during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Doctors reported that R&R Spaces had been removed from one-quarter of NHSBoards, whilst NHSBoards stated that R&R Spaces were still available. Barriers to accessing R&R Spaces existed for 16 doctors across 8 NHSBoards which included: Perceived removal of spaces, inconvenient location; lack of awareness of provision; restrictions on access.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that well-publicised initiatives to support staff do not always have the desired outcome. It is not enough to provide R&R spaces; consideration needs to be given to the accessibility and availability of the provision and ensuring all staff are aware of their existence via effective communication.",

author = "Kim Walker and Gill Aitken and Kathryn Cunningham and {Gibson Smith}, Katherine and Gillian Scanlan and Jo Cecil and Lisi Gordon",

note = "Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2022 The Authors. The Clinical Teacher published by Association for the Study of Medical Education and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.; ASME 2022 – Future proof medical education: Practical wisdom and adapting to change ; Conference date: 06-07-2022 Through 08-07-2022",

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N2 - Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on the wellbeing of healthcare workers at work, with Rest and Relaxation (R&R) spaces being identified as a key facility. However, differences between Scottish doctors exist in perception regarding their availability and accessibility. This research, part of a major study into doctors wellbeing, investigated the existence of dissonance in individual and organisational perceptions regarding the provision of R&R spaces and to identify potential barriers to access.Methods: Data was collected via interviews with hospital doctors across NHS Scotland and questionnaires/Freedom of Information requests to NHS Scotland Regional Health Boards. Data was analysed using content analysis.Results: Hospital doctors (n = 29) from across Scotland and all NHS Scotland Regional Health Boards (NHSBoards) were included in the analysis. Dissonance existed in the perceptions of hospital doctors and NHSBoards regarding the provision of R&R Spaces for NHS Scotland healthcare workers/staff during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Doctors reported that R&R Spaces had been removed from one-quarter of NHSBoards, whilst NHSBoards stated that R&R Spaces were still available. Barriers to accessing R&R Spaces existed for 16 doctors across 8 NHSBoards which included: Perceived removal of spaces, inconvenient location; lack of awareness of provision; restrictions on access.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that well-publicised initiatives to support staff do not always have the desired outcome. It is not enough to provide R&R spaces; consideration needs to be given to the accessibility and availability of the provision and ensuring all staff are aware of their existence via effective communication.

AB - Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has shone a light on the wellbeing of healthcare workers at work, with Rest and Relaxation (R&R) spaces being identified as a key facility. However, differences between Scottish doctors exist in perception regarding their availability and accessibility. This research, part of a major study into doctors wellbeing, investigated the existence of dissonance in individual and organisational perceptions regarding the provision of R&R spaces and to identify potential barriers to access.Methods: Data was collected via interviews with hospital doctors across NHS Scotland and questionnaires/Freedom of Information requests to NHS Scotland Regional Health Boards. Data was analysed using content analysis.Results: Hospital doctors (n = 29) from across Scotland and all NHS Scotland Regional Health Boards (NHSBoards) were included in the analysis. Dissonance existed in the perceptions of hospital doctors and NHSBoards regarding the provision of R&R Spaces for NHS Scotland healthcare workers/staff during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond. Doctors reported that R&R Spaces had been removed from one-quarter of NHSBoards, whilst NHSBoards stated that R&R Spaces were still available. Barriers to accessing R&R Spaces existed for 16 doctors across 8 NHSBoards which included: Perceived removal of spaces, inconvenient location; lack of awareness of provision; restrictions on access.Conclusion: Our findings suggest that well-publicised initiatives to support staff do not always have the desired outcome. It is not enough to provide R&R spaces; consideration needs to be given to the accessibility and availability of the provision and ensuring all staff are aware of their existence via effective communication.

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ER -

Rest and relaxation spaces: Accessibility and availability for wellbeing of doctors

Abstract

UN SDGs

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Research output

Composite narrative animations: A novel Method for encouraging doctors to access support for psychological wellbeing

Prizes

Association for the Study of Medical Education research paper award finalist

Cite this