Older Hospitalised Patients' Reported Confidence in Managing Discharge Needs: A Retrospective Observational Study

Objectives: To evaluate the introduction of a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of self-confidence in managing discharge needs in an acutely hospitalised older adult population. Methods: A retrospective service evaluation in an English hospital. The PROM measure consisted of a visual analogue scale asking patients to rate their confidence with managing the things that they would need to do at home. This was collected on admission and discharge. Results: Of 923 patients, 461 had both admission and discharge confidence scores. Median confidence was higher at discharge (8.00, IQR: 6.20-9.80) than on admission (7.20, 5.00-9.00) (P<0.001). Predictors of high confidence with managing discharge needs at admission were: being male; having a lower number of morbidities; self-reporting fewer falls over the last year; and a higher level of functional mobility. Low confidence score on admission, being from one's own home, and a higher number of physiotherapy contacts were associated with improvement in PROM scores. Self-confidence in managing discharge needs at discharge was not associated with readmission within 30 days. Conclusions: Measuring patient-reported confidence to manage discharge needs is feasible in an older inpatient population. Confidence improved from admission to discharge, and more frequent physiotherapy input was associated with improved confidence.