[Discharge from hospital: left in limbo].
An article pertaining to a large European qualitative study into the discharge of patients from hospital was published in the Dutch Journal of Medicine (Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde). Earlier qualitative and quantitative research in the Netherlands had resulted in the same findings: patients wish to receive more information upon discharge. Improvements have been realised, but not at every hospital or department. There is considerable variation as to how much information is desired by individual patients. Healthcare providers should take these differences into account and provide personalised information. For some patients, too much information increases their anxiety. We agree with the recommendations of the authors of the article. It is very important that nurses and doctors communicate with patients who are to be discharged. The elderly and patients who live alone need extra attention. GPs and specialists should discuss amongst themselves how to best compose a format for the specialist's report, including what type of information the GPs need to inform their patients adequately. As performance indicators, the telephone accessibility of GPs and the time it takes to receive the specialist's report could be considered as options.
Universitair Medisch Centrum, afd. Huisartsgeneeskunde, Groningen, the Netherlands. a.j.berendsen@umcg.nl
Annette J
AJ
Berendsen
D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000592:standards*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008505:Medical Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D010351:Patient Discharge / Q000592:standards*; D017751:Safety Management / Q000592:standards*