Patient experiences of in-hospital preparations for follow-up care at home.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Gretchen
G
Keller
McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Alefia
A
Merchant
McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Carol
C
Common
Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.|MUHC Research Institute, Montreal, QC, Canada.
Andrea M
AM
Laizner
D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D018575:Home Care Services, Hospital-Based; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research
discharge planning; patient's experience; patient-centred care; preparation; qualitative descriptive; transitional care