The perceptions of older veterans concerning their postdischarge outcome experiences

This study investigated the perceptions of a sample of older veterans regarding their outcome experiences after hospital discharge. Qualitative data from 165 participants were analyzed for major conceptual themes that best fit the structure of comments regarding participants' postdischarge experiences. Most responses were brief and suggested that few participants had considered their outcomes as being influenced by prior discharge planning interventions. Few participants described having actively worked to address their new health needs or feeling equipped to work through the system to do so. Practice implications are discussed for clinicians who help prepare patients during more rapid discharges.