About the SH-CORE Study
The SH-CORE study is a 10-15 minute online Delphi survey – See more information below.
What is the aim of this study?
The aim of the SH-CORE Study is to create a Core Outcome Set (COS) for future research in surgical handover. A COS is a standard set of key effects (‘outcomes’) that should always be measured in studies looking at ways (‘interventions’) to improve surgical handovers between doctors. These outcomes are chosen by incorporating the views of any people who are affected by surgical handover. This COS will help to ensure that future studies measure the right things and provide clear evidence on whether new handover methods work to make patients safer.
What is 'Surgical Handover'?
Handover is when doctors share important information about a patient’s care with other doctors. During a hospital stay for surgery, these handovers happen often, especially during shift changes. They are important because if information is not shared correctly mistakes can happen that could harm patients. This study focuses specifically on surgical handovers between doctors.
What is an 'Outcome'?
To improve how these handovers are done, we need to know which handover methods work best. Researchers measure this by looking at the effects (‘outcomes’) of different handover methods. For example, if a handover method reduces how long a patient stays in the hospital, then the outcome is the length of hospital stay. Lots of studies have tried to improve surgical handover, but they measure many different outcomes, making it hard to compare results and use them to improve patient care.
What does this study involve?
We are inviting patients, healthcare professionals, researchers, and the public to give their opinions on which outcomes are most important.
Participants will take part in a 10-15 minute online Delphi survey where they will be asked to rate the importance of different outcomes used to evaluate methods to improve surgical handovers between doctors.
Based on the results of this survey, we will create a smaller list of outcomes which we will discuss at an optional online meeting early next year. This process will help us create a final set of outcomes for the COS, which we aim to publish in a scientific journal and present at scientific meetings.
Who is invited to participate in this study?
We are inviting the following groups of people (‘stakeholders’) to take part in this study:
Patients/Caregivers: People who have previously been admitted to hospital under the care of a surgical team with at least one overnight stay, their caregivers, spouses/partners, or other family members.
Healthcare Providers: Health professionals who specialise in the area of surgery (for example, doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, etc).
Researchers/Academics: People with an interest in carrying out research or teaching in the area of surgery or handover.
Does this study have ethical approval?
This study was approved by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland Research Ethics Committee (7th November 2023, REC202309015).
Where can I find more information?
Read the full Participant Information Leaflet here