Dataset Information

Comparative assessment of content overlap between written documentation and verbal communication: an observational study of resident sign-outs.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Effective sign-outs involve verbal communication supported by written or electronic documentation. We investigated the clinical content overlap between sign-out documentation and face-to-face verbal sign-out communication.

Methods

We audio-recorded resident verbal sign-out communication and collected electronically completed ("written") sign-out documentation on 44 sign-outs in a General Medicine service. A content analysis framework with nine sign-out elements was used to qualitatively code both written and verbal sign-out content. A content overlap framework based on the comparative analysis between written and verbal sign-out content characterized how much written content was verbally communicated. Using this framework, we computed the full, partial, and no overlap between written and verbal content.

Results

We found high a high degree of full overlap on patient identifying information [name (present in 100% of sign-outs), age (96%), and gender (87%)], past medical history [hematology (100%), renal (100%), cardiology (79%), and GI (67%)], and tasks to-do (97%); lesser degree of overlap for active problems (46%), anticipatory guidance (46%), medications/treatments (15%), pending labs/studies/procedures (7%); and no overlap for code status (<1%), allergies (0%) and medical record number (0%).

Discussion and conclusion

Three core functions of sign-outs are transfer of information, responsibility, and accountability. The overlap-highlighting what written content was communicated-characterizes how these functions manifest during sign-outs. Transfer of information varied with patient identifying information being explicitly communicated and remaining content being inconsistently communicated. Transfer of responsibility was explicit, with all pending and future tasks being communicated. Transfer of accountability was limited, with limited discussion of written contingency plans.

SUBMITTER: Abraham J

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6951999 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Comparative assessment of content overlap between written documentation and verbal communication: an observational study of resident sign-outs.

Abraham Joanna J Ihianle Imade I Ward Charlotte E CE Arora Vineet M VM Kannampallil Thomas G TG

JAMIA open 20180809 2

<h4>Objective</h4>Effective sign-outs involve verbal communication supported by written or electronic documentation. We investigated the clinical content overlap between sign-out documentation and face-to-face verbal sign-out communication.<h4>Methods</h4>We audio-recorded resident verbal sign-out communication and collected electronically completed ("written") sign-out documentation on 44 sign-outs in a General Medicine service. A content analysis framework with nine sign-out elements was used ...[more]

PMID: 31984333

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Dataset Information

Comparative assessment of content overlap between written documentation and verbal communication: an observational study of resident sign-outs.

Objective

Methods

Results

Discussion and conclusion

Publications

Comparative assessment of content overlap between written documentation and verbal communication: an observational study of resident sign-outs.

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