'Dear Doctor': a randomised controlled trial of a text message intervention to reduce burnout in trainee anaesthetists.

One in four doctors in training in the UK reports feeling 'burnt out' due to their work and similar figures are reported in other countries. This two-group non-blinded randomised controlled trial aimed to determine if a novel text message intervention could reduce burnout and increase well-being in UK trainee anaesthetists. A total of 279 trainee anaesthetists (Core Training Year 2, Specialty Training Years 3 or 4) were included. All participants received one initial message sharing support resources. The intervention group (139 trainees) received 22 fortnightly text messages over approximately 10 months. Messages drew on 11 evidence-based themes including: gratitude; social support; self-efficacy; and self-compassion. Primary outcomes were burnout (Copenhagen Burnout Inventory) and well-being (Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale). Secondary outcomes were as follows: meaning in work; professional value; sickness absence; and consideration of career break. Outcomes were measured via online surveys. Measures of factors that may have affected well-being were included post-hoc, including the impact of COVID-19 (the first UK wave of which coincided with the second half of the trial). The final survey was completed by 153 trainees (74 in the intervention and 79 in the control groups). There were no significant group differences in: burnout (ß = -1.82, 95%CI -6.54-2.91, p = 0.45); well-being (-0.52, -1.73-0.69, p = 0.40); meaning (-0.09, -0.67-0.50, p = 0.77); value (-0.01, -0.67-0.66, p = 0.99); sick days (0.88, -2.08-3.83, p = 0.56); or consideration of career break (OR = 0.44, -0.30-1.18, p = 0.24). Exploratory post-hoc analysis found the intervention was associated with reduced burnout in participants reporting personal or work-related difficulties during the trial period (-9.56, -17.35 to -1.77, p = 0.02) and in participants reporting that the COVID-19 pandemic had a big negative impact on their well-being (-10.38, -20.57 to -0.19, p = 0.05). Overall, this trial found the intervention had no impact. However, given this intervention is low cost and requires minimal time commitment from recipients, it may warrant adaptation and further evaluation.

Change the habit to change the practice: Do audits really ever change anything?

INTRODUCTION: Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) eradication by nurses and pre-op induction antibiotics are mandated for emergency surgery, where true status is unknown. We assessed adherence to local MRSA guidelines for patients undergoing emergency hip fracture surgery and employed point of decision prompts to influence clinicians' behaviour. METHODS: We undertook a retrospective record review for all patients undergoing emergency hip fracture surgery at a UK major trauma centre over 3-months. Demographics, MRSA eradication therapy and antibiotics were recorded. Admission-to-MRSA swab result time was compared to the admit-to-operation time. Posters on induction antibiotics were placed in anaesthetic rooms, stickers on MRSA eradication therapy on nursing care bundles and standards re-audited after 6 months. RESULTS: The case-mix was similar in both audit cycles: initial audit (n=69, mean age 76.9, range 33-94), re-audit (n=77, mean age 73.8, range 18-95). There was a small rise in adherence to eradication therapy prescription (1% vs 8%) after sticker distribution, although compliance was poor pre and post intervention. Correct antibiotic choice for MRSA unknown patients (18% vs 94%) improved significantly after poster intervention. Operations occurred at a median of 24.05h (Q1 17.6, Q3 32.3) from admission but MRSA swab results returned at a median of 48h (Q1 41.5, Q3 59.5) p=<0.0001. CONCLUSION: Providing reminders at the points where decisions are to be made are effective. Audit interventions should be easily undertaken and will become habitual if connected in sequence to old behaviours.

Dirty hands: bacteria of faecal origin on commuters' hands.

Although many studies have investigated bacteria on the hands of health-care workers and caregivers, few have looked at microbiological contamination on the hands of the general adult public. This study investigated faecal bacteria on the hands of commuters in five UK cities. Of the 404 people sampled 28% were found to have bacteria of faecal origin on their hands. A breakdown by city showed that the proportion of people with contaminated hands increased the further north the city of investigation (P<0.001), an effect which was due in large part to a significant trend in men but not in women. Bus users were more contaminated than train users. The results of this exploratory study indicate that hand hygiene practices in the UK may be inadequate and that faecal indicator bacteria on hands may be used to monitor the effect of hand-washing promotion campaigns.