Enhancing locally employed doctor support and integration: a QIP on a buddy programme at Russells Hall Hospital
Introduction: The integration of new staff into the NHS is essential for their well-being, confidence and efficacy in functioning within a novel environment.1 Obstacles, such as insufficient guidance, limited peer support and challenges in adapting to the workplace culture, can impede a seamless tra...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Future Healthcare Journal |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2514664525001754 |
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| author | Sumaira Malik Tamar Saeed Shifa Puri Sidra Shah Ayesha Farooq |
| author_facet | Sumaira Malik Tamar Saeed Shifa Puri Sidra Shah Ayesha Farooq |
| author_sort | Sumaira Malik |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction: The integration of new staff into the NHS is essential for their well-being, confidence and efficacy in functioning within a novel environment.1 Obstacles, such as insufficient guidance, limited peer support and challenges in adapting to the workplace culture, can impede a seamless transition.2–4 In response to these concerns, a buddy programme was implemented in the medical division of Russells Hall Hospital, pairing new locally employed doctors with seasoned colleagues to offer support throughout their introductory period. Aim: This Quality Improvement Project (QIP) aimed to evaluate the Buddy Programme's impact on new doctors' integration, confidence, and overall support. The objective was to improve their transition into the NHS by enhancing peer support mechanisms. Materials and methods: A two-cycle study compared pre-implementation (Cycle 1) and post-implementation (Cycle 2) data. A survey was distributed to new doctors, assessing various aspects of the integration experience. The key indicators included whether a buddy was assigned, confidence in approaching the buddy, feeling welcomed in the trust culture, support during the integration period and the impact of a well-being champion. The responses were collected and analysed to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results and discussion: The implementation of the Buddy Programme led to significant improvements across multiple areas. In Cycle 2, 47% of the doctors were assigned a buddy, and those that felt welcomed in the trust culture rose from 40% to 100% (+60%), and support increased from 50% to 84% (+34%) during the integration period. All those who were assigned a buddy felt better integrated within the NHS and improved their overall experience. Conclusion: The implementation of the Buddy Programme at Russells Hall Hospital demonstrated a positive impact on the integration and support of locally employed doctors. The significant improvements in feeling welcome, support, and overall confidence highlights the effectiveness of structured peer mentorship. Despite the progress, further efforts are needed to increase buddy assignments and optimise the reach of the programme. Future steps include refining the pairing process, enhancing engagement strategies and incorporating feedback mechanisms to ensure sustained benefits for new doctors transitioning into the NHS. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-92c87edfe2ef4a1589ba03f415135113 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2514-6645 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Future Healthcare Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-92c87edfe2ef4a1589ba03f4151351132025-08-20T02:47:10ZengElsevierFuture Healthcare Journal2514-66452025-06-0112210039610.1016/j.fhj.2025.100396Enhancing locally employed doctor support and integration: a QIP on a buddy programme at Russells Hall HospitalSumaira Malik0Tamar Saeed1Shifa Puri2Sidra Shah3Ayesha Farooq4Dudley NHS Foundation TrustRussells Hall HospitalRussells Hall HospitalRussells Hall HospitalRussells Hall HospitalIntroduction: The integration of new staff into the NHS is essential for their well-being, confidence and efficacy in functioning within a novel environment.1 Obstacles, such as insufficient guidance, limited peer support and challenges in adapting to the workplace culture, can impede a seamless transition.2–4 In response to these concerns, a buddy programme was implemented in the medical division of Russells Hall Hospital, pairing new locally employed doctors with seasoned colleagues to offer support throughout their introductory period. Aim: This Quality Improvement Project (QIP) aimed to evaluate the Buddy Programme's impact on new doctors' integration, confidence, and overall support. The objective was to improve their transition into the NHS by enhancing peer support mechanisms. Materials and methods: A two-cycle study compared pre-implementation (Cycle 1) and post-implementation (Cycle 2) data. A survey was distributed to new doctors, assessing various aspects of the integration experience. The key indicators included whether a buddy was assigned, confidence in approaching the buddy, feeling welcomed in the trust culture, support during the integration period and the impact of a well-being champion. The responses were collected and analysed to determine the effectiveness of the intervention. Results and discussion: The implementation of the Buddy Programme led to significant improvements across multiple areas. In Cycle 2, 47% of the doctors were assigned a buddy, and those that felt welcomed in the trust culture rose from 40% to 100% (+60%), and support increased from 50% to 84% (+34%) during the integration period. All those who were assigned a buddy felt better integrated within the NHS and improved their overall experience. Conclusion: The implementation of the Buddy Programme at Russells Hall Hospital demonstrated a positive impact on the integration and support of locally employed doctors. The significant improvements in feeling welcome, support, and overall confidence highlights the effectiveness of structured peer mentorship. Despite the progress, further efforts are needed to increase buddy assignments and optimise the reach of the programme. Future steps include refining the pairing process, enhancing engagement strategies and incorporating feedback mechanisms to ensure sustained benefits for new doctors transitioning into the NHS.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2514664525001754 |
| spellingShingle | Sumaira Malik Tamar Saeed Shifa Puri Sidra Shah Ayesha Farooq Enhancing locally employed doctor support and integration: a QIP on a buddy programme at Russells Hall Hospital Future Healthcare Journal |
| title | Enhancing locally employed doctor support and integration: a QIP on a buddy programme at Russells Hall Hospital |
| title_full | Enhancing locally employed doctor support and integration: a QIP on a buddy programme at Russells Hall Hospital |
| title_fullStr | Enhancing locally employed doctor support and integration: a QIP on a buddy programme at Russells Hall Hospital |
| title_full_unstemmed | Enhancing locally employed doctor support and integration: a QIP on a buddy programme at Russells Hall Hospital |
| title_short | Enhancing locally employed doctor support and integration: a QIP on a buddy programme at Russells Hall Hospital |
| title_sort | enhancing locally employed doctor support and integration a qip on a buddy programme at russells hall hospital |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2514664525001754 |
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