The impact of pharmacist telephone calls after discharge on satisfaction of oncology patients: A randomized controlled study

PurposeThe aim of the study was to determine the impact of telephone follow-up calls on satisfaction in oncology patients after hospital discharge.MethodA randomized controlled study, in which patients were randomized into two groups: The experimental group with the telephone follow-up (TFU) calls (intervention) and the control group (no intervention). The telephone follow-up call was conducted within 72 h after discharge. During the call, patients were asked about their medications, namely, whether they received them, understood how to take them, and whether they developed any medication-related adverse effect. Both groups were contacted by phone two weeks later to assess their satisfaction with the discharge medication instructions and the provided pharmaceutical services, using the 5-point Likert scale. In addition, hospital records were reviewed for emergency room visits and hospital readmissions within 30 days after discharge.ResultsThere was no difference in the percentage of patients who reported b...