Hello my name is...

We were inspired by the #hellomynameis… campaign which started in the UK with Dr Kate Granger. Making sure you introduce yourself is much more than a common courtesy; it is about making a human connection, beginning a therapeutic relationship and building trust.

All staff working within Primary Health Services, Tasmanian Health Services – North West Region, have been given a name badge to wear in addition to their staff ID. It improves communication and connection for patients and staff.

Why did you develop your project?

#hellomynameis… is an inspiring campaign. It highlights the importance of introducing yourself in health care. We were excited to embed this as a part of how we work in Primary Health Services in North West Tasmania.

What did you do? What worked well?

Hello My Name Is… badges have been distributed to more than 400 Primary Health NW staff. It started as a bulk delivery in 2017, since then systems have been streamlined so it is easy for badges to be ordered for new staff.  160 staff have attended presentations/discussions about the campaign for more compassionate health care. 99 staff members filled out a survey after they had their badges for about a month. The majority of staff said that having the badge makes interactions easier for patients, easier for staff and improves communication and connection.

What did not work so well? What lessons were learned?

The challenges for staff were mostly about the logistics of remembering and wearing the badge. Some staff said: “If you leave it on when you go into a shop and everyone starts calling you by your name… and you wonder if you should know them…” Two staff who answered the survey said they didn’t want clients knowing their name.

What did the project achieve? What’s the outcome, or impact?

For patients, there is the comfort and ease of being reminded of the health worker’s name. This is especially helpful for those who forget names after being told verbally, and those who have many different health care workers involved in their care. For staff it is easier to get to know co-worker’s names, especially for those who are new or part-time. The campaign has spread to the hospitals in the NW and right across the state. Read more and watch ambassador videos at www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/publichealth/about_us/health_literacy/hello_my_name….

How are the principles of Working in Health Promoting Ways reflected in your project?

Partnerships

A simple name badge that is easy to see is one part of working in a person-centred way with consumers, their families and carers.  It builds the partnership between patient and worker.

“[It] facilitates an environment of ease with patients.... [it] facilitates communication and confidence in the health care team.”

Engaging people

Staff wearing name badges shows their commitment to building relationships with the people they work with. As the name badges were delivered, we met with staff and shared the story of the campaign. We discussed how the ‘little things’ matter to patients and heard how they make people feel at ease when they first meet.

Systems change

Having a ‘hello my name is…’ badge is now part of how we work in Primary Health in NW Tasmania. Badges can be ordered for new staff in the same way as other stock items.

Supportive environments

The welcoming nature of name badges helps put the care back into health care. It sets up the therapeutic relationship for a good start. Several services have put up photo boards with all staff photos and names. At the Burnie Community Health Centre, we often see patients looking at the photo wall in the waiting area, pointing out the staff they have seen.

“People often find my name difficult to remember, so they can look at my name without asking again.”

How has working in health promoting ways benefitted your team? And helped your clients?

Some of the benefits noted by staff include:

“I think patients are more willing to engage with me. Sometimes it feels like there is a barrier when someone can't remember a name and it can impact rapport building.”

“I am finding it easier to learn other staff member's names. I work part time so it can be hard to get to know all of the nurses.”