Cultures of openness (Work stream 2: openness in practice)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Building a culture of openness across the healthcare system: From transparency through learning to improvement? Work stream 2: Openness in practice: actions, experiences and consequences • Sub-study 2a: Characterising openness initiatives in the case-study sites • Sub-study 2b: Values, attitudes and actions at the sharp end
IRAS ID
234455
Contact name
Graham Martin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
0639, Sponsor's reference
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 31 days
Research summary
Recent concerted and sincere efforts in the NHS to learn from high-profile failings have highlighted the need for change in NHS cultures in relation to openness and candour leading to clear recommendations for action, and specific policies to foster openness.
This study entitled “Building a culture of openness across the healthcare system: From transparency through learning to improvement?” asks whether organisations’ efforts to increase openness results in real changes in staff values, attitudes and actions at the sharp end of care and in patients’ opportunities and experiences around openness. We aim to describe what systems are in place, what communication strategies are being used, and what range of initiatives are being used at a local level. We also want to know if staff and patients’ views on openness, knowledge of performance, and experiences of giving voice to concerns is changing through time, for better or worse.
We will conduct 4-6 case studies of provider organisations that document how openness policies are being enacted at a local level; for example, describing what systems are in place, what communication strategies are being used, and what range of initiatives are being used. The organisations will include acute / mental health and community health services, teaching/non-teaching, and traditional NHS and non-NHS providers. We will carry out interviews with all kinds of staff, patients and relatives about the consequences of policies and initiatives for culture, attitudes and behaviour in the case study organisations.
In drawing together these data we aim to understand and describe ‘best openness practice’ from all perspectives; patients and relatives, staff and the organisation’s. This knowledge will feed into the development of novel, insightful and practically useful outputs for academic, policy and practice audiences, including clear, actionable recommendations about how to support cultural change and maximise the positive impact of policies
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/NW/0719
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jan 2018
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion