The experiences of older people on discharge from hospital following assessment by the public health nurse

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to explore the experiences of older people on discharge from hospital following assessment by the public health nurse. The objectives of the study were to: (i) identify needs as perceived by older people, (ii) examine if older people felt that these needs were met, (iii) examine the support/care/services received by older people, and (iv) explore any unmet needs of older people. BACKGROUND: A review of the literature revealed that discharge from hospital remains an area of concern as older people had varying degrees of met and unmet need following discharge from acute hospital. DESIGN/METHODS: A qualitative study using a phenomenological approach was undertaken. The researcher carried out interviews with a purposive sample of 11 older people in their homes two weeks following discharge from acute hospital. Data were analysed using Colaizzi's method. RESULTS: Older people experienced a wide variety of difficulties in managing aspects of their own care. A reassuring finding of this study is that older people received assistance in this initial discharge period, i.e. they experienced significant informal support complemented by statutory and voluntary support. Even though these older people were assessed by the public health nurse, their need to access services, for statutory service provision, social aspects of their lives and safety measures in their environment were not met. Older people expressed the wish to remain in their own homes. CONCLUSION: Assessment of older people by the public health nurse is meaningful to identify the needs of older people and provide for the needs of older people though this does not necessarily mean that all the needs of older people can be met by the public health nurse. This study supports the findings of other studies of the problems after discharge and provides an understanding of the experiences of older people on discharge from hospital following assessment by the public health nurse from their perspective. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The study will provide information that will contribute to current public health nurse practice and will contribute to the understanding of public health nurse practice.