A scoping review of communication tools applicable to patients and their primary care providers after discharge from hospital

Abstract

Objective: Transitions from hospital to home are high-risk episodes. Communication problems between patients/carers and their primary healthcare providers are a central part of the risk. This literature review aimed to identify any existing tools or information (including secondary care instruments) that would facilitate designing new communication instruments for primary care to manage and mitigate risk at discharge.

Method: Five databases (Pubmed, Embase, Cinahl, Web of Science and Cochrane) were searched using a three stem approach (primary/transitional care, discharge period, communication). A dual reviewer system was used, following PRISMA guidelines.

Results: From 61 full text articles a total of ten tools were found, 25 articles contained other useful content, 19 further tools were found in grey literature. Most material originated from the USA and described hospital-based transitional care interventions.

Conclusion: No ready-made patient/provider communication tool for the post-discharge period in primary care was found. Future communication tools should enhance education and engagement of patients so they feel able to initiate communication.

Practice implications: Collating post-discharge communication material is of importance to improving the safety of care transitions and will enable creation of new tools specifically designed for primary care. These tools will improve patient activation ('the knowledge, skills and confidence a person has in managing their own health and care') with the ultimate aim of reducing error and harm in primary care through improved communication of healthcare decisions.

Keywords: General practice; Health care transition; Health communication; Health literacy; Patient discharge; Patient safety; Primary health care; Teach-back communication.