Team briefings as an effective way to improve the quality and experience of ENT on-call shifts

INTRODUCTION Team briefings are a communication technique bringing managers together with their teams on a face-to-face basis so that information can be shared, questions asked and feedback collected. Briefings and debriefings are recognised as mandatory for surgical trainees in fulfilling shared capabilities in clinical practice as well as for educational and planning purposes. They are routine practice in areas of surgery such as operating theatres. In our ear, nose and throat (ENT) department, it was observed that the morning on-call handover missed opportunities to enhance team communication and coordination. A shift pattern rota from a large pool of medical staff meant ever-changing team compositions. The team sought a way to compensate for these factors. METHODS Regular team briefings were introduced as an intervention to improve the experience of on-call shifts among team members. The extent to which these team briefings were helpful was assessed. An instant messaging group chat was created by on-duty team members. Four cycles of team briefings, with different group compositions, were undertaken over six months with adjustments after each cycle. Usage and feedback for the virtual briefings were established informally, via level of group use and verbal reports from members, as well as formally, via a quantitative assessment tool using anonymous pre- and post-intervention questionnaires. RESULTS Twelve staff members were involved in briefings. Individual interaction with the team briefings increased over progressive cycles. Individuals expressed positive feedback in person and in the group chat. Five of six team members completed both surveys, which showed improvement across four statements relating to educational opportunities, team expectations, introductions and planning, and using instant messaging communication. The statement “Having team briefings via a messaging app improved the engagement and experience of the ENT on-call shifts” generated an agreement rating of 90%. CONCLUSIONS A cost-free intervention has been demonstrated that improves team cohesion without taking time away from direct patient care. This framework for briefing an on-call surgical team could be replicated in other units and disciplines.