Hospital Discharge During COVID-19: The Role of Social Resources

Kirsten E. Schmutz, Andrea S. Wallace, Alycia A. Bristol, Erin Phinney Johnson and Sonja E. Raaum

Clinical Nursing Research, 2022, vol. 31, issue 4, 724-732

Abstract: COVID-19 social distancing recommendations potentially disrupted support provided to patients after hospital discharge. The aim of this study was to use the Individual and Family Self-Management Theory to understand the effect the COVID-19 pandemic had on patients’ abilities to obtain and receive support after hospital discharge. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 26 patients discharged from medical or surgical services. Qualitative description was used to identify salient themes. Most participants described little impact from COVID-19 on their ability to obtain and receive support from informal and formal resources. These experiences fell in contrast to one participant, whose changes in support dramatically affected her post-discharge experience. While social disruptions occurred for patients transitioning home after hospitalization during the COVID-19 pandemic, our findings indicate that strong pre-existing support networks are resilient and protective. All patients should be provided with resources on what to do if unexpected events occur post-discharge. Clinical Trial Registration This study is a part of a parent study: Social Needs and Resources in the Evaluation and Enhancement of Discharge Support. The trial registry is clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT04248738. Initial release was 1/27/2020 and the first participant was enrolled on 2/4/2020. Link to the information on the registry: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04248738

Keywords: home care; caregiving; qualitative; care coordination (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:clnure:v:31:y:2022:i:4:p:724-732

DOI: 10.1177/10547738221075760

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