Patient experiences of in‐hospital preparations for follow‐up care at home

Gretchen Keller, Alefia Merchant, Carol Common and Andrea M Laizner

Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2017, vol. 26, issue 11-12, 1485-1494

Abstract: Aims and objectives To examine patient experiences of hospital‐based discharge preparation for referral for follow‐up home care services. To identify aspects of discharge preparation that will assist patients with their transition from hospital‐based care to home‐based follow‐up care. Background To improve patients’ transitions from hospital‐based care to community‐based home care, hospitals incorporate home care referral processes into discharge planning. This includes patient preparation for follow‐up home care services. While there is evidence to support that such preparation needs to be more patient‐centred to be effective, there is little knowledge of patient experiences of preparation that would guide improvements. Design Qualitative descriptive study. Methods The study was carried out at a supra‐regional hospital in Eastern Canada. Findings are based on thematic content analysis of 13 semi‐structured interviews of patients requiring home care after hospitalisation on a medical or surgical unit. Most interviews were held within one week of discharge. Results Patient experiences were associated with patient attitudes and levels of engagement in preparation. Attitudes and levels of engagement were seen as related to one another. Those who ‘didn't really think about it’, had low engagement, while those with the attitude ‘guide me’, looked for partnership. Those who had an attitude of ‘this is what I want’, had a very high level of engagement. Conclusions Previous experience with home care services influenced patients’ level of trust in the health care system, and ultimately shaped their attitudes towards and levels of engagement in preparation. Relevance to clinical practice Patient preparation for follow‐up home care can be improved by assessing their knowledge of and previous experiences with home care. Patients recognised as using a proactive approach may be highly vulnerable.

Date: 2017
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:26:y:2017:i:11-12:p:1485-1494

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