The influence of nursing handover on nurses' mental health: A scoping review

Margarida A. R. Tomás; Marisa R. Soares; Joaquim M. Oliveira-Lopes; Luís M. M. Sousa; Vânia L. D. Martins; Margarida A. R. Tomás; Marisa R. Soares; Joaquim M. Oliveira-Lopes; Luís M. M. Sousa; Vânia L. D. Martins

doi:10.3934/publichealth.2025008

AIMS Public Health

2025, Volume 12, Issue 1: 106-123. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2025008

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The influence of nursing handover on nurses' mental health: A scoping review

1.
Nursing Research, Innovation and Development Centre of Lisbon (CIDNUR), Lisboa, Portugal
2.
Mental Health Nursing Department, Nursing School of Lisbon (ESEL), Lisboa, Portugal
3.
Psychiatric Department, Local Health Unit of Almada-Seixal (ULSAS), Almada, Portugal
4.
Nursing Department, School of Health Atlântica (ESSATLA), Oeiras, Portugal
5.
Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Évora, Portugal

Received: 14 June 2024 Revised: 17 July 2024 Accepted: 10 October 2024 Published: 15 January 2025

Nursing handover is essential in clinical practice across various healthcare settings and can significantly impact nurses' mental health. This scoping review aimed to explore and map these implications using the JBI methodology and PRISMA ScR Checklist. It included 11 studies published between 1988 and 2022 from the UK, Australia, USA, South Korea, and Hong Kong, involving over 122 nurses in acute care settings. The findings reveal three major themes: source of psychological discomfort, coping resource, and peer support and cohesion. Negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, dissatisfaction, and tension are linked to handovers, particularly bedside handovers, which raise confidentiality issues and induce scrutiny among nurses. The lack of standardized training and consistent procedures also contributes to stress, especially for newly graduated and less experienced nurses. Conversely, handovers function as structured rituals providing peer support and a sense of control, helping nurses manage psychological demands. To mitigate negative impacts, implementing standardized handover procedures and comprehensive training programs for new nurses is essential. Encouraging open communication and fostering a supportive environment can enhance team cohesion and reduce stress. Future research should measure the impact of different handover practices on nurses' mental health and explore their supportive, social, protective, and restorative functions. This review highlights the critical role of nursing handovers in supporting nurses' mental health and underscores the need for standardized practices to improve the well-being of nursing professionals and the quality of patient care.
- nursing,
- mental health,
- patient handoff,
- review
Citation: Margarida A. R. Tomás, Marisa R. Soares, Joaquim M. Oliveira-Lopes, Luís M. M. Sousa, Vânia L. D. Martins. The influence of nursing handover on nurses' mental health: A scoping review[J]. AIMS Public Health, 2025, 12(1): 106-123. doi: 10.3934/publichealth.2025008

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Abstract

Nursing handover is essential in clinical practice across various healthcare settings and can significantly impact nurses' mental health. This scoping review aimed to explore and map these implications using the JBI methodology and PRISMA ScR Checklist. It included 11 studies published between 1988 and 2022 from the UK, Australia, USA, South Korea, and Hong Kong, involving over 122 nurses in acute care settings. The findings reveal three major themes: source of psychological discomfort, coping resource, and peer support and cohesion. Negative emotions such as stress, anxiety, dissatisfaction, and tension are linked to handovers, particularly bedside handovers, which raise confidentiality issues and induce scrutiny among nurses. The lack of standardized training and consistent procedures also contributes to stress, especially for newly graduated and less experienced nurses. Conversely, handovers function as structured rituals providing peer support and a sense of control, helping nurses manage psychological demands. To mitigate negative impacts, implementing standardized handover procedures and comprehensive training programs for new nurses is essential. Encouraging open communication and fostering a supportive environment can enhance team cohesion and reduce stress. Future research should measure the impact of different handover practices on nurses' mental health and explore their supportive, social, protective, and restorative functions. This review highlights the critical role of nursing handovers in supporting nurses' mental health and underscores the need for standardized practices to improve the well-being of nursing professionals and the quality of patient care.

Acknowledgments

This study was conducted independently by the authors without any external funding or influence from agencies or organizations.

Authors' contribution

Margarida A. R. Tomás, Marisa R. Soares, Joaquim M. Oliveira-Lopes, Luís M. M. Sousa, and Vânia L. D. Martins contributed to the study design and redaction of the study protocol. Margarida A. R. Tomás and Vânia L. D. Martins searched the databases for studies, selected studies for data screening, and extracted the data. All authors (Margarida A. R. Tomás, Marisa R. Soares, Joaquim M. Oliveira-Lopes, Luís M. M. Sousa, and Vânia L. D. Martins) performed data synthesis and analysis. All authors (Margarida A. R. Tomás, Marisa R. Soares, Joaquim M. Oliveira-Lopes, Luís M. M. Sousa, and Vânia L. D. Martins) contributed to writing the manuscript.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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