title: Beyond the hospital walls--a study of black patients after discharge from hospital.
abstract: Ninety-six patients were followed up in their homes 2 weeks, 3 months and 1 year after their discharge from hospital. Within 2 weeks of discharge from hospital, interviews could only be arranged with 80, 9 having died and 7 being untraceable at the given address. The characteristics of the patients, their living conditions, knowledge of their illness, general health and ability to work were noted on the first follow-up visit, and their general health and ability to work were reassessed on two subsequent occasions, by which time a further 8 and 7 had died. As a result of the survey, recommendations are made covering health information for patients and suitable follow-up procedures to ensure maximum benefit from hospitalization.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D000368:Aged; D044383:Black People; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011156:Population Density; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D015030:Zimbabwe