Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40803738›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2025

Investigating discrepancies in perceptions regarding the provision of hospital rest and relaxation spaces in Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: a qualitative study.

Kim A Walker, Kathryn B Cunningham, Julie Ferguson, Kathrine Gibson Smith, Gillian Marion Scanlan, Joanne E Cecil, Lisi Gordon, Anita Laidlaw, Lindsey Margaret Pope, Peter Johnston and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Kim A WalkerCHERI, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK kim.walker@abdn.ac.uk.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8873-2270
Kathryn B CunninghamUniversity of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
Julie FergusonNHS Education for Scotland, Edinburgh, UK.
Kathrine Gibson SmithCHERI, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7341-4701
Gillian Marion ScanlanUniversity of Dundee, Dundee, UK.
Joanne E CecilUniversity of St Andrews, St Andrews, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4779-6037
Lisi GordonHeriott-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4986-1501
Anita LaidlawCHERI, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, UK.
Lindsey Margaret PopeUniversity of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0899-9616
Peter JohnstonNHS Education for Scotland, Edinburgh, UK.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9446-8354
Gill AitkenThe University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo investigate discrepancies in perceptions regarding the accessibility and availability of rest and relaxation (R&R) spaces between hospital doctors in Scotland and NHS Scotland regional health boards (HBs), with the intention of informing best practices for organisational policy on the provision of R&R spaces both now and in the future.

designA qualitative study, through an inhabited institutionalism (II) lens, of semi-structured interviews of hospital doctors across the career continuum in Scotland and all NHS regional HBs in Scotland providing written information relating to R&R space provision.

settingNHS Scotland during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

participantsHospital doctors (n=30) who had participated in a larger qualitative study and provided specific insights on R&R spaces. All NHS Scotland regional HBs (n=14).

resultsAlthough HBs reported the provision of R&R spaces, numerous doctors reported R&R spaces had been removed, relocated or were inaccessible. Furthermore, limited awareness of their availability attributed to inadequate communication, compounded the issue. This divergence between institutional reporting and front-line experience can be interpreted through the lens of II, which posits that institutional polices are often interpreted and implemented differently.

conclusionsThis study emphasises how crucial R&R spaces are to promoting doctors' well-being especially during the time of high stress. HBs must not only guarantee the accessibility and physical availability of R&R spaces but also enhance their communication regarding the provision.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelCOVID-19Medical Staff, HospitalRelaxationRestFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMalePandemicsQualitative ResearchSARS-CoV-2ScotlandState MedicineCOVID-19Health WorkforceOrganisation of health services

Identifiers

PMID40803738
PMCPMC12359540

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.