Attitudes of physicians towards target groups and content of the discharge summary: a cross-sectional analysis in Styria, Austria

Abstract

ObjectivesThe discharge summary (DS) represents one of the most important instruments to ensure a safe patient discharge from the hospital. They sometimes have poor quality in content and often include medical jargon, which the patient and their relatives cannot easily understand. Therefore, many risks for patient safety exist. This study investigated the questions for whom the DS is and which contents are necessary to ensure a safe treatment.DesignCross-sectional analysis.SettingStyria, Austria.Participants3948 internal and external physicians were consulted.InterventionsAn online survey consisting of 24 questions was conducted. The survey was distributed to physicians working in the province of Styria, Austria, in 2018 over a period of 6 months.Main outcomes and measuresAttitudes of internal and external physicians in terms of target group, content and health literacy.ResultsIn total, 1060 physicians participated in the survey. The DS is considered as a communication tool among physicians (97.9%) and the patients are also indicated as addressees (73.5%). Furthermore, there is a high level of agreement that understandable information in the DS leads to fewer questions of the patients (67.9%).ConclusionIn conclusion, the DS is not only seen as a document for the further treating physician but is also relevant for the patient. Incorporating the patient into their treatment at all levels may possibly strengthen the individual health literacy of the patient and their caring relatives.

Design and preliminary evaluation of a newly designed patient-friendly discharge letter – a randomized, controlled participant-blind trial

“…In addition, the results of a survey conducted previously as part of GO-SAFE among Austrian physicians were taken into consideration. Accordingly, > 95 % of the survey participants considered information on diagnosis, treatment, prescription of medication, recommendation on further treatment as well as information on control visits and follow-up appointments as compulsory elements of an adequate discharge letter [ 16 ].…”

“…In addition, the discharge letter should comply with the standards set by ELGA (“Elektronische Gesundheitsakte” – Austrian Electronic Health Records; established by the Austrian ministry of health in 2015 with the aim to make patients’ health data digitally available for healthcare providers) to become an integrative part of patients’ electronic health records. Previous steps in the process of GO-SAFE included risk analysis of information loss during hospital discharge [ 7 ], a survey among 1060 physicians towards content and target groups of discharge summaries [ 16 ], as well as analysis of current discharge letters to identify possible deficiencies [ 17 ]. As the target groups of a new discharge letter are patients as well as physicians and therapists, a multi-level analysis was deemed necessary.…”

Evaluation of A Newly Designed Patient-Friendly Discharge Letter – A Randomized, Controlled Participant-Blind Trial

“…Accordingly, >95% of the survey participants considered information on diagnosis, treatment, prescription of medication, recommendation on further treatment as well as information on control visits and follow-up appointments as compulsory elements of an adequate discharge letter [17].…”

Structure, content, unsafe abbreviations, and completeness of discharge summaries: A retrospective analysis in a University Hospital in Austria

“…Delayed transmission of the DS to the further treating physician, 7‐9 low quality or lack of information, 10,11 lack of consistent formats, 12‐14 lack of patient understanding, 15,16 and inadequate training for medical students in writing medical DS 17 are some important issues. The medical DS is not only an important document for the treating general physician (GP) but it is also relevant for other healthcare providers as well as patients and relatives 18 . The use of specific medical jargon and unexplained abbreviations of medical terms hinder effective communication with all involved parties and cause relevant information to go unnoticed 18‐22 .…”

“…The medical DS is not only an important document for the treating general physician (GP) but it is also relevant for other healthcare providers as well as patients and relatives. 18 The use of specific medical jargon and unexplained abbreviations of medical terms hinder effective communication with all involved parties and cause relevant information to go unnoticed. 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 According to Austrian law every patient must receive a DS at discharge and patients are owners of the written DS.…”