Optimizing huddle engagement through leadership and problem-solving within primary care: A study protocol for a cluster randomized trial
Year: 2019
Type: article
Study design: Study Protocol
Abstract: Background Team-based care has been identified as a key component in transforming primary care. An important factor in implementing team-based care is the requirement for teams to have daily huddles. During huddles, the care team, comprising physicians, nurses, and administrative staff, come together to discuss their daily schedules, track problems, and develop countermeasures to fix these problems. However, the impact of these huddles on staff burnout over time and patient outcomes are not clear. Further, there are challenges to implementing huddles in fast-paced primary care clinics. We will test whether the impact of a behavioral intervention of leadership training and problem-solving during the daily huddling process will result in higher consistent huddling in the intervention arm and result in higher team morale, reduced burnout, and improved patient outcomes. Methods/design We will conduct a care-team-level cluster randomized trial within primary care practices in two Midwestern states. The intervention will comprise a 1-day training retreat for leaders of primary care teams, biweekly sessions between huddle optimization coaches and members of the primary care teams, as well as coaching site visits at 30 and 100 days post intervention. This behavioral intervention will be compared to standard care, in which care teams have huddles without any support or training. Surveys of primary care team members will be administered at baseline (prior to training), 100 days (for the intervention arm only), and 180 days to assess team dynamics. The primary outcome of this trial will be team morale. Secondary outcomes will assess the impact of this intervention on clinician burnout, patient satisfaction, and quality of care. Discussion This trial will provide evidence on the impact of a behavioral intervention to implement huddles as a key component of team-based care models. Knowledge gained from this trial will be critical to broader deployment and successful implementation of team-based care models. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov , NCT03062670 . Registered on 23 February 2017.
DOI: 10.17615/fy79-0x33
Authors: Branda, Megan E, Tumerman, Marc D, Staats, Bradley R, Rushlow, David R, Chandrasekaran, Aravind, Lampman, Michelle A, Shah, Nilay D, Lewis, Theresa M, Ward, Peter, Olson, Diane K, Giblon, Rachel
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Subfield: General Health Professions
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W4289436861