A structured telemedical follow-up program for up to 10 days after hospital discharge maintained patient-reported health and satisfaction, though general practitioner satisfaction was low.
Observational (n=234)
No
Does a structured telemedical follow-up program improve patient health and satisfaction in patients discharged from the hospital?
A telephone-based follow-up program after hospital discharge maintained patient-reported health and satisfaction but faced practical challenges regarding general practitioner satisfaction and information transfer.
Abstract Background The transition from hospital to primary care is a vulnerable period for patients. Telemedicine may enhance continuity of care; however, evidence on its role in supporting hospital-to-primary-care transitions remains limited. Objective We implemented and evaluated a telephone-based follow-up program to support the transition from hospital to home and primary care, focusing on patient health as well as patient and health care provider satisfaction. Methods In this prospective, single-center intervention study (University Hospital Basel, September 2022-December 2024), 234 patients discharged from the emergency unit or internal medicine wards received structured telemedical follow-up for up to 10 days until their first primary care appointment. Primary outcomes were patient health and satisfaction; secondary outcomes were health care provider satisfaction. Data were collected using patient-reported outcome measures, patient-reported experience measures, and provider assessments and analyzed descriptively and analytically ( P =.05). Results Patient-reported outcome measure and patient-reported experience measure scores changed during follow-up, while no deterioration was observed. Health care provider satisfaction varied, with telemedical physicians reporting the highest ratings, hospital physicians intermediate ratings, and general practitioners the lowest, citing challenges in information transfer and perceived added value. Conclusions This study outlines both the potential benefits and the practical challenges of implementing a telephone follow-up program after hospital discharge. Variations in physician satisfaction highlight the need for more user-friendly technical infrastructure and clearer role definitions. Future multicenter studies with broader patient samples, usual care controls, and simplified recruitment processes are required to strengthen the feasibility and generalizability of this approach.
Gram et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Hospital discharge from emergency unit or internal medicine wards (n=234). Structured telemedical follow-up program was evaluated on Patient health and satisfaction. A structured telemedical follow-up program for up to 10 days after hospital discharge maintained patient-reported health and satisfaction, though general practitioner satisfaction was low.