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Seeking support after hospitalisation for injury: a nested qualitative study of the role of primary care

Christie, Nicola; Beckett, Kate; Earthy, Sarah; Kellezi, Blerina; Sleney, Jude; Barnes, Jo; Jones, Trevor; Kendrick, Denise

Authors

Nicola Christie

Kate Beckett

Sarah Earthy

Blerina Kellezi

Jude Sleney

Jo Barnes

Trevor Jones

DENISE KENDRICK DENISE.KENDRICK@NOTTINGHAM.AC.UK
Professor of Primary Care Research



Abstract

Background: In the UK, studies suggest that the transition from hospital to home after an injury can be a difficult time and many patients report feeling inadequately prepared. Patients often use primary care services after hospital discharge. These consultations provide opportunities to consider problems that patients experience and to facilitate recovery. Little is known, however, about how patients and service providers view care after hospital discharge and the role played by primary care services, specifically GPs.

Aim: To identify good practice and unmet needs in respect of post-discharge support for injured patients.

Design and setting: Qualitative study using semi-structured interviews at four sites (Bristol, Leicester/Loughborough, Nottingham, and Surrey).

Method: Qualitative interviews with 40 service providers and 45 hospitalised injured patients.

Results: Although there were examples of well-managed hospital discharges, many patients felt they were not provided with the information they needed about their injury, what to expect in terms of recovery, pain control, return to work, psychological problems, and services to help meet their needs. They also described difficulty accessing services such as physiotherapy or counselling. Service providers identified problems with communication between secondary and primary care, lack of access to physiotherapy, poor communication about other services that may help patients, GP service and resource constraints, and difficulties in providing information to patients concerning likely prognosis.

Conclusion: Discharge from hospital after an injury can be problematic for patients. Changes in both secondary and primary care are required to resolve this problem.

Citation

Christie, N., Beckett, K., Earthy, S., Kellezi, B., Sleney, J., Barnes, J., …Kendrick, D. (2016). Seeking support after hospitalisation for injury: a nested qualitative study of the role of primary care. British Journal of General Practice, 66(642), e24-e31. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp15X688141

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Aug 5, 2015
Online Publication Date Dec 7, 2015
Publication Date Jan 1, 2016
Deposit Date Jun 29, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal British Journal of General Practice
Print ISSN 0960-1643
Electronic ISSN 1478-5242
Publisher Royal College of General Practitioners
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 66
Issue 642
Article Number e24-e31
Pages e24-e31
DOI https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp15X688141
Keywords General Practitioners, Injury, Patient Discharge, Primary Healthcare
Public URL https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/767734
Publisher URL http://bjgp.org/content/66/642/e24.long
Additional Information Permission to deposit the published PDF was given by Moira Davies, Assistant Editor, British Journal of General Practice on 24th May 2016.

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