The Art of Effective Handoff Communication Among Medical and Surgery Residents

End-of-shift handoffs occur when physicians transfer care responsibilities from one shift to another. Typically viewed as a straightforward exchange of information, we argue that several contextually relevant factors shape the communication behaviors of outgoing and incoming residents during handoffs. Digital recordings and transcripts of resident handoffs in medicine and surgery were made at three VA Medical Centers. They were triangulated with cognitive task interviews that elicited residents’ reconstructions of their work practices. Analyses revealed clear distinctions among “day-to-night,” “night-to-day,” and “double handoffs” that involve transitions between day and night teams. Although residents preferred handing off in dedicated, quiet spaces, few (16%) occurred in such settings; 28% contained significant interruptions. The quality handoff artifacts (notes and forms) influenced interactions, especially in cases where multiple residents from different teams were involved, requiring incoming residents to adjust “on the fly.” This study demonstrated that there are multiple contextual factors that affect, and are affected by, handoff interactions. The findings suggest that handoffs are less like the delivery of a telegram (unidirectional) and more like complex adaptive systems (products of interactional co-construction). Teaching communication practices based on interaction complexity may reduce errors and adverse outcomes for hospitalized patients.