Effect of a patient-directed discharge letter on patient understanding of their hospitalisation.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Poor patient understanding of their diagnosis and treatment plan can adversely impact clinical outcome following hospital discharge. Discharge summaries are primarily written for the doctor rather than the patient. We determined patient understanding of the reasons for hospitalisation, in-hospital tests, treatments and post-discharge recommendations, and whether a brief patient-directed discharge letter (PADDLE) delivered during a brief discussion prior to discharge would improve understanding. METHODS: A prospective randomised controlled trial was conducted, including 67 hospitalised patients. After a baseline questionnaire, patients were randomised to receive the PADDLE letter or usual care. Those receiving the letter had an immediate follow-up questionnaire. Patient understanding was compared with a summary letter written by the treating clinician, using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from none to full understanding. A questionnaire was administered at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: At baseline, patients had almost full understanding (median score 4) of reasons for hospitalisation and treatments. However, despite high self-appraisal, patients objectively had very little understanding of tests performed and post-discharge recommendations (median 2). Those receiving the letter had an immediate increase to almost full understanding (median 4) of tests performed (P < 0.001) and to full understanding (median 5) of post-discharge recommendations. This increase did not persist at 3 or 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: A simple patient-directed letter delivered during a brief discussion improves patient understanding of their hospitalisation and post-discharge recommendations, which is otherwise limited. Further evaluation of this brief and well-received intervention is indicated, with the goal of improving patient understanding, satisfaction and clinical outcomes.

Prospective study of early bereavement on psychological and behavioural cardiac risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence supports the role of emotional stress in the onset of cardiovascular disease. Although bereavement is a major emotional stress with both acute and more long-term features, the mechanism of its association with cardiovascular risk is not well understood, in particular because of limited studies of acute bereavement. The aim of the study was to identify psychological and behavioural changes in acute bereavement and potential modifiers of these changes. METHODS: Bereaved (n= 62) and non-bereaved individuals (n= 50) were evaluated within 2 weeks and at 6 months following loss using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies -- Depression, Spielberger State Anxiety and Anger, Social Support Questionnaire and changes in appetite, cigarette and alcohol consumption, cortisol and lipids. RESULTS: Compared with non-bereaved, acutely bereaved had increased symptoms of depression (26.7 +/- 1.7 vs 5.9 +/- 0.7, P < 0.001), anxiety (47.4 +/- 2.0 vs 28.2 +/- 1.4, P < 0.001) and anger (median 16.0 vs 15.0, P < 0.001). Greater depressive symptoms were associated with being unprepared for the death, decreased sleep duration and younger age. Acutely, bereaved slept less than non-bereaved (5.8 +/- 0.2 vs 7.2 +/- 0.2 h, P < 0.001). Reduced sleep time was associated with increased anger and depression and decreased satisfaction with social support. Compared with the non-bereaved, the acutely bereaved had higher cortisol (median 306 vs 266, P= 0.003), reduced appetite (P < 0.001) and lower total cholesterol (median 4.9 vs 5.4, P= 0.006) and low-density lipoprotein (median 2.4 vs 2.9, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results offer insight into the psychological, behavioural and physical changes that may contribute to cardiovascular risk in bereavement.