TY - JOUR
T1 - The transition from hospital to home following acute coronary syndrome
T2 - an exploratory qualitative study of patient perceptions and early experiences in two countries
AU - Crawshaw, Jacob
AU - Bartoli-Abdou, John K.
AU - Weinman, John
AU - McRobbie, Duncan
AU - Stebbins, Marilyn
AU - Brock, Tina
AU - Auyeung, Vivian
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© The Author(s) 2020. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Pharmaceutical Society.
Copyright:
This record is sourced from MEDLINE/PubMed, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
PY - 2021/2/10
Y1 - 2021/2/10
N2 - OBJECTIVES: Following acute coronary syndrome (ACS), it is standard practice for stable patients to be discharged as quickly as possible from hospital. If patients are not adequately supported at this time, issues such as readmission can occur. We report findings from an exploratory qualitative study investigating the perceptions and early experiences of patients transitioning from hospitals in the UK and USA to home following ACS. METHODS: Within 1 month of discharge, we conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with patients hospitalised for ACS (UK: n = 8; USA: n = 9). Data were analysed using the Framework Method. KEY FINDINGS: We identified four superordinate themes. Coping, adjustment and management: Patients were still adjusting to the physical limitations caused by their event but most had begun to implement positive lifestyle changes. Gaps in care transition: Poor communication and organisation postdischarge resulted in delayed follow-up for some patients causing considerable frustration. Quality of care from hospital to home: Patients experienced varied inpatient care quality but had largely positive interactions in primary/community care. Pharmacy input during care transition was viewed favourably in both countries. Medication-taking beliefs and behaviour: Patients reported good initial adherence to treatment but side effects were a concern. CONCLUSIONS: ACS patients experienced gaps in care early in the transition from hospital to home. Poor communication and uncoordinated support postdischarge negatively impacted patient experience. Further research is needed to determine how patients' early experiences following ACS can affect longer-term outcomes including healthcare engagement and treatment maintenance.
AB - OBJECTIVES: Following acute coronary syndrome (ACS), it is standard practice for stable patients to be discharged as quickly as possible from hospital. If patients are not adequately supported at this time, issues such as readmission can occur. We report findings from an exploratory qualitative study investigating the perceptions and early experiences of patients transitioning from hospitals in the UK and USA to home following ACS. METHODS: Within 1 month of discharge, we conducted semi-structured telephone interviews with patients hospitalised for ACS (UK: n = 8; USA: n = 9). Data were analysed using the Framework Method. KEY FINDINGS: We identified four superordinate themes. Coping, adjustment and management: Patients were still adjusting to the physical limitations caused by their event but most had begun to implement positive lifestyle changes. Gaps in care transition: Poor communication and organisation postdischarge resulted in delayed follow-up for some patients causing considerable frustration. Quality of care from hospital to home: Patients experienced varied inpatient care quality but had largely positive interactions in primary/community care. Pharmacy input during care transition was viewed favourably in both countries. Medication-taking beliefs and behaviour: Patients reported good initial adherence to treatment but side effects were a concern. CONCLUSIONS: ACS patients experienced gaps in care early in the transition from hospital to home. Poor communication and uncoordinated support postdischarge negatively impacted patient experience. Further research is needed to determine how patients' early experiences following ACS can affect longer-term outcomes including healthcare engagement and treatment maintenance.
KW - acute coronary syndrome
KW - pharmacy practice
KW - qualitative research
KW - secondary prevention
KW - transitional care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85103806367&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1093/ijpp/riaa009
DO - 10.1093/ijpp/riaa009
M3 - Article
C2 - 33793821
AN - SCOPUS:85103806367
SN - 2042-7174
VL - 29
SP - 61
EP - 69
JO - The International journal of pharmacy practice
JF - The International journal of pharmacy practice
IS - 1
ER -
