The 'shift reflection' model of group reflective practice: a pilot study in an acute mental health setting.

HEALTH facility employees; WELL-being; TEAMS in the workplace; PILOT projects; PSYCHOLOGICAL burnout; PSYCHOTHERAPY patients; FOCUS groups; SOCIAL support; CONFIDENCE intervals; CAREGIVERS; ATTITUDES of medical personnel; RESEARCH methodology; EFFECT sizes (Statistics); PATIENTS' attitudes; CRONBACH'S alpha; COMPASSION; CRITICAL care medicine; PSYCHOSOCIAL factors; QUESTIONNAIRES; SCALE analysis (Psychology); DESCRIPTIVE statistics; SOUND recordings; JOB satisfaction; INDUSTRIAL hygiene; THEMATIC analysis; GROUP medical practice; REFLECTION (Philosophy); PSYCHIATRIC hospitals; CORPORATE culture; MORALE

Background: 'Shift reflection' is a novel, structured method of group reflective practice at the end of a shift. It involves a facilitator asking open questions about the shift, then using a mapping process to draw and make connections between the experiences of staff. Aim: To undertake a pilot study of shift reflection in an acute mental health unit and to gather feedback from staff and service users on its effect on staff well-being, teamwork and ward culture. Method: A mixed-methods design was used. Staff members provided feedback using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) scale, completed pre-pilot (n=10) and post-pilot (n=14), a staff feedback questionnaire (n=14) and a focus group (n=7). Data from the questionnaires were examined using descriptive statistics and effect sizes, while the focus group data were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The preliminary findings suggest that shift reflection was effective in supporting staff and that it improved team cohesion and morale. The ProQOL scale results indicated a small increase in compassion satisfaction, a medium reduction in secondary traumatic stress and a large reduction in burnout scores post-pilot. Five themes emerged from the focus group: value of shift reflection; team benefits; supportive role of facilitation; implementation challenges; and future directions. Conclusion: While several challenges in implementing shift reflection were identified, the findings of this pilot study provide a foundation for developing and testing its effectiveness in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]