This study aims to gain insight into healthcare professionals’ experiences, perceptions and needs regarding hospital-to-home transitions. Such insights can contribute to the development of a transitional integrated allied healthcare pathway for patients with complex care needs after hospital discharge.
A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Data was collected using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Hospital and primary care professionals participated. Recruitment and data collection took place between May and September 2023. Professionals were eligible if they 1) were working as healthcare professionals at the departments of oncologic surgery, internal medicine, trauma surgery, or intensive care unit of the participating hospital or 2) were working as healthcare professionals in primary care in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. We performed a thematic analysis of the data.
We conducted seven focus groups and twelve interviews, with a total of 53 professionals. Three themes emerged from the data: 1)”Collaboration and information exchange between healthcare professionals”, which illustrates the challenges healthcare professionals face regarding information exchange. 2)“Coordination and continuity of care”, which illustrates the need for clear role definitions during transitional care, and 3) “Interaction between professionals, patients, and families”, which illustrates the importance of involving patients and families in transitional care decision-making.
This study indicates that healthcare professionals need clear arrangements for communicating with colleagues within and outside their settings to guarantee care continuity after hospital discharge. Professionals should collaborate and exchange information with colleagues and patients to provide patient-centered care. Patients and families should be involved in transitional care in a way that responds to their individual needs and preferences.
- Future hospital-to-home transitions could be improved by optimizing interprofessional communication (e.g., multidisciplinary and interactive communication that comprehends more than a one-way handover).
- More clarity is needed for healthcare professionals regarding the question of ‘who does what?’ during hospital-to-home transitions.
- Information should be presented in a way that is comprehensible for patients and families.
Allied healthcare
Experiences
