Investigation and Analysis of the Transitional Care Needs of Patients Following Hospital Discharge

Background: The transitional care model ensures the continuity of care and has significant impact on patients’ health outcomes. Transitional care services need to be developed based on patients’ needs. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the care needs of patients following hospital discharge. Methods: This quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 484 patients using a questionnaire to investigate patients’ transitional care needs, covering the types of the services and patient preferred services providers. Results: The investigation revealed that only 17.98% (n = 87) of participants were aware that the tertiary hospital provided transitional care following hospital discharge, even though more than half of participants (n = 265) expressed a preference for doctors and nurses from tertiary hospitals to provide this. Regarding types of transitional care service, 46.9% participants (n = 227) considered health education to be their priority, followed by medication guidance (35.33%), and rehabilitation needs (34.71%). Conclusion: The most preferred service model perceived by patients is transitional care services provided by health professionals from tertiary hospitals. Transitional care must encompass a broad range of health services including health education, medication management, and rehabilitation in order to meet patients’ needs. This is to promote the care continuity across various care settings.