Public Yet Private: The Status, Durability and Visibility of Handover Sheets

Abstract

Drawing on data from a multi-site case study of a range of clinical settings, this paper explores the form of nursing handover sheets and the processes through which they are created and updated. We argue that these documents function as both public and private documents, having relevance for the whole ward while also acting as a personal workspace. Such dual functionality needs to be supported by any technology that seeks to provide for the work of handover, if the handover sheet is to continue to act as a space for work, rather than just a repository of information.