Evaluating patient perceptions of discharge information in a Milan hospital: An observational descriptive study

Abstract

Introduction: Hospital discharge represents a significant moment for patients and caregivers, as this multi-intervention process provides the population with all the tools for proper home management of the disease. This aspect is crucial for developing self-care in the population with chronic conditions, which is decisive in reducing mortality, morbidity, and hospital readmissions. The purpose of this study was to assess patients' perception of the information received before hospital discharge to improve its quality and better meet the informational and managerial needs of the patient. Methods: A single-center observational study was designed and conducted from June to September 2023 in a Hospital in Milan. The Patient Continuity of Care Questionnaire (PCCQ), exhibiting optimal psychometric values consisting of 15 items on a Likert scale from 0 to 5, was used. Results: The PCCQ questionnaire demonstrated good internal reliability and consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficients higher than 0.7 in each item. Our findings showed that the patient feels prepared for discharge (mean value of item 4.07). Age is a variable that affects the level of perception: older patients (> 80 years) showed significantly lower scores than less elderly patients. Discussion: The instrument proved reliable in measuring patients' perception of the information received at discharge. The sample achieved optimal values, although some areas were considered unclear, such as the reception of the information supplied to family members, lifestyle management, and follow-up.

Keywords

• chronic disease
• geriatric nursing
• patient continuity of care questionnaire (pccq)
• self-care