Going home from hospital: the postdischarge experience of patients and carers in rural and remote Queensland

Williams, Chris;Thorpe, Rosamund;Harris, Nonie;Dickinson, Hilary;Barrett, Chris;Rorison, Francine

Abstract

Objective: This paper reports on a study of the experiences of patients and carers discharged from the Townsville General Hospital into rural and remote communities in North Queensland. Design: The findings presented in this paper are drawn from post-discharge in-depth, qualitative interviews of both patients and carers. Results: The findings indicate the importance of examining the lived experience of both patients and carers in attempting to understand the impact of current discharge practices. Conclusion: We conclude that carers are providing the bulk of post-discharge care of patients – a difficult role in which the difficulties are exacerbated when the patient or the carer or both is a long way from the home community.

Journal

Australian Journal of Rural Health

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1440-1584

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Wiley-Blackwell

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Armidale, Australia

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DOI

10.1111/j.1440-1584.2006.00749.x