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. 2020 Jul;29(13-14):2275-2284.
doi: 10.1111/jocn.15236. Epub 2020 Mar 31.

Evaluation of the TRANSITION tool to improve communication during older patients' care transitions: Healthcare practitioners' perspectives

Jacqueline Allen  1 , Alison M Hutchinson  2   3 , Rhonda Brown  2 , Patricia M Livingston  3   4
Affiliations

Evaluation of the TRANSITION tool to improve communication during older patients' care transitions: Healthcare practitioners' perspectives

Jacqueline Allen et al. J Clin Nurs. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate healthcare practitioners' perceptions of the feasibility and acceptability of a communication tool, entitled the TRANSITION tool, to communicate with older patients during transition from acute care to a community setting.

Background: Transitional care for older patients is challenging due to their complex care needs and rapid care transitions. Research has identified effective models of transitional care. However, optimal communication between healthcare practitioners and older patients remains under-investigated.

Design: Exploratory descriptive qualitative design.

Methods: The methods are reported using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies checklist. The setting comprised two acute medical wards in an urban hospital in Australia. Twenty-two nursing and allied healthcare practitioners used the TRANSITION tool to guide communication about transitional care with an older patient and then participated in an interview about their experience of using the tool. All data were thematically analysed.

Findings: Healthcare practitioners reported their perceptions that the TRANSITION tool was feasible and acceptable, and that they perceived the tool supported them to know what to ask and to find out information regarding their patient's transitional care needs. Some ward-based nurses reported their perception that transitional care was not their role.

Conclusions: Findings emphasise transitional care as a continuing care process that requires effective communication between nurses and older patients in acute medical wards.

Relevance to clinical practice: Given shorter lengths of stay, complex care needs and slow recovery, ward-based nurses are vital in communicating with older patients about their transitional care needs. The TRANSITION tool may support communication between ward-based nurses and older patients to improve assessment and planning. Implementation of the tool will require a planned strategy to facilitate translation of the tool into routine practice of ward-based nurses to support their roles during older patients' care transitions.

Keywords: care coordination; communication; older patients; transitional care.

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References

REFERENCES

    1. Allen, J. (2017). Improving older people’s experience in transitional care: Co-design of TRANSITION. (Doctor of Philosophy), Deakin University, Victoria, Australia.
    1. Allen, J., Hutchinson, A. M., Brown, R., & Livingston, P. M. Care integration processes supporting transitional care for older adults: Healthcare practitioners’ perspectives in an Australian setting. International Journal of Integrated Care, accepted 3rd February 2020, in press.
    1. Allen, J., Hutchinson, A. M., Brown, R., & Livingston, P. M. (2014). Quality care outcomes following transitional care interventions for older people from hospital to home: A systematic review. BMC Health Services Research, 14, 1-27.
    1. Allen, J., Hutchinson, A. M., Brown, R., & Livingston, P. M. (2017). User experience and care integration in transitional care for older people from hospital to home: A meta-synthesis. Qualitative Health Research, 27(1), 24-36.
    1. Allen, J., Hutchinson, A. M., Brown, R., & Livingston, P. M. (2018). User experience and care for older people transitioning from hospital to home: Patients’ and carers’ perspectives. Health Expectations, 21(2), 518-527.

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