Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41890437›Full record

ArticleAnnals of intensive care2026

"It changed the atmosphere, but how long will it last?": healthcare professionals' experiences of an intervention to improve positive communication in intensive care.

Anita Barth, Maurizio Cecconi, Carole Boulanger, Elie Azoulay, Nancy Kentish Barnes

Registry-linked trialAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Annals of intensive care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06453616 (Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of the "Hello Bundle" Intervention in Reducing Burnout Among ICU Healthcare Professionals), which is not on this map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

NCT06453616 nacompletednot on this map

Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of the "Hello Bundle" Intervention in Reducing Burnout Among ICU Healthcare Professionals

TypeinterventionalSponsorSaint-Louis Hospital, Paris, FranceRan2024 to 2024Enrolled7,300ConditionsPrevalence of Burn-out Among Intensive Care ProfessionalsArmsHello bundle
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

5 authors.

Anita BarthEuropean Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM), Brussels, Belgium.
Maurizio CecconiBiomedical Sciences Department, Humanitas University, Pieve Emanuele, Italy.
Carole BoulangerRoyal Devon University NHS Foundation Trust, Barrack Road, Exeter, UK.
Elie AzoulayMedical Intensive Care Unit Department, AP-HP, Saint-Louis University Hospital, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France.
Nancy Kentish BarnesMedical Intensive Care Unit Department, AP-HP, Saint-Louis University Hospital, Paris-Cité University, Paris, France.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Background: Burnout among healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in intensive care units (ICUs) has reached alarming levels, with detrimental effects on staff well-being, patient care, and organizational functioning. The HELLO randomized controlled trial (RCT) tested a multicomponent intervention aimed at reducing burnout by promoting positive communication and teamwork. This qualitative study complemented the RCT by exploring participants' experiences and perceptions of the intervention, identifying barriers, facilitators, and factors influencing sustainability. Methods: This qualitative component was conducted alongside the HELLO cluster-RCT in ICUs across multiple countries. Data sources included (1) 1,155 pictures of messages placed in "HELLO" boxes and on noticeboards, and (2) 26 semi-structured interviews with 27 ICU professionals from 18 ICUs, conducted 4-5 months after the intervention. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Box messages from 26 ICUs in 20 countries revealed recurrent themes of appreciation, recognition, kindness, teamwork, and motivation, often expressed through short, personal notes of gratitude or encouragement. Interviews identified six overarching themes: understanding of the intervention and initial reactions; facilitators and barriers to implementation; focus on messages; local adaptations; immediate positive outcomes; and long-term potential outcomes. Participants reported improved team cohesion, communication, and workplace atmosphere, with leadership engagement emerging as a key facilitator. Barriers included scepticism, workload, and pre-existing workplace tensions. Although many perceived short-term benefits, most noted that the effects diminished over time unless reinforced through continued initiatives. Conclusions: This qualitative study provides insight into healthcare professionals' experiences of the HELLO intervention, highlighting perceived improvements in communication and team atmosphere, as well as challenges related to engagement, workload, and sustainability. These findings can inform future adaptations and implementation strategies for similar low-cost interventions in intensive care units. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06453616 (June 18, 2024).

Indexed as

BurnoutIntensive careMental healthPositive communicationShortage

Identifiers

PMID41890437
PMCPMC13015744

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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.