Condensations of descriptions | Illustrative quotes | |
---|---|---|
Benefits of the program | ||
Encouragement of an open and compassionate culture | Contributes to an increased awareness about the implications of adverse events | ” The seminar showed us that we should talk more about this. I think it has brought on a more open culture.” |
Enforces a sense of being part of a team, combats loneliness | “I feel like I am part of a team with this system.” | |
Communicates openness to share difficult experiences and emotions. Legitimises feelings of vulnerability in the aftermath and encourages to reach out | “My buddy allowed me to cry and tell everything without any judgement. She cried with me.” “Without my buddy I would never have been able to go to sleep those first couple of days.” | |
Attentiveness to the wellbeing of colleagues | Knowing that someone will reach out to you in case of an adverse event provides a sense of safety | “One thing is talking about it there and then. But knowing that someone reaches out to you the following days makes me feel safer.” |
Establishes an awareness that it can happen to all. Greater willingness to talk about errors in general | ” We pay more attention to each other now.” | |
Rewarding to be able to help a colleague (as a buddy). May give reason to reflect on (and heal) own previous experiences with an adverse event | “I have activated buddies for someone else. And their reactions are like “Yes! Of course!”. They really want to help and support their colleagues.” | |
Self-selected relationships create a safe space for sharing | It is easier to share emotional distress with someone you know and trust | “My buddy is a junior like myself and has been incredibly supportive. She can relate to my experiences.” “Having a buddy is of great value to me.” |
Evaluation of clinical decisions happens in a safe space. This facilitates learning without triggering defensive responses | “Going through the event and my clinical decisions with someone I trusted was… I learned a lot.” | |
Challenges or shortcomings of the program | ||
Peer support is valuable but should not stand alone | Support from management is crucial | “Difficult to be someone’s buddy when there is no support from our manager. I felt a bit powerless in my effort to help.” “My manager is very supportive in these cases. It is so important to have a manager like that.” “You need the acknowledgement from your manager. Something like ‘I know you a going through a rough time. I see you’.” |
Organisational follow-up can still be deficient, even with a buddy system | “A debriefing, that’s it. And in some cases, that is not enough.” “You may be too exhausted to reach out yourself.” | |
Informal peer support is already in place | A formalised system is unnecessary, especially in smaller units | “I work in a smaller team, where I feel acknowledged and listened to, when things are difficult.” “We have a very compassionate culture in our unit, so the buddy system seems unnecessary here.” |
The Buddy system requires continuous updating and visibility | The turnover of staff in large departments is a challenge | “The project was not visible enough. I was not included when I started at the department.” |
It was unclear when to activate the buddy system | “I have considered activating my buddy. But I was uncertain whether the event was severe enough. So, I didn’t.” |