A qualitative exploration of older people’s experience of discharge from mental health inpatient settings

TL;DR

This study explores the experiences of older people being discharged from mental health hospitals and identifies factors that contribute to a positive discharge process.

Contribution

This is one of the first studies to focus on older people's lived experiences of discharge from mental health inpatient settings.

Findings

Discharge is perceived as a gradual process requiring patient involvement and empowerment.

Communication and nurse support are critical for successful transitions to home.

Social support and readiness for discharge are linked to positive outcomes.

Abstract

Recently here has been interest in the patient’s voice within community mental health settings as a catalyst of service development. There remains a lack of literature documenting the lived experience of inpatient mental health care in Older People’s Mental Health (OPMH) inpatient settings. There is a drive within the National Health Service (NHS) to transition care to community settings and improve the discharge process.

To gain insight into older people’s experiences of being discharged from OPMH inpatient settings.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven people discharged from OPMH inpatient wards. They were asked to share their experiences of preparing for discharge, the support during this process, the transition to home, and what should be learned from their experiences. The interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Six main themes were identified. 1) Discharge as a gradual process, 2) Feeling involved in discharge planning; feeling empowered, 3) Communication; contrast between positive and negative experiences, 4) Social support; a sense that there was a causal link between support and successful outcome, 5) Importance of nurse support; the benefits of having support, 6) The importance of readiness for discharge; the relationship between how the patient felt before and after discharge.

This is one of the first studies to explore older people’s experiences of being discharged from mental health hospitals. It provides insight of the factors that patients believe are important for a positive experience of discharge. Suggestions for service improvements and recommendations on how patients are supported appropriately in the process are discussed.

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