Discharge Transition Experienced by Korean Older Adults After Hip Fracture Surgery: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: This study aimed to explore Korean older adults’ experience with discharge transition after hip fracture surgery. Methods: This was a descriptive qualitative study. Face-to-face interviews following hip fracture surgery were conducted with 12 participants. Data were collected one to two days before discharge and again four weeks after discharge following hip fracture surgery, and were analyzed using qualitative content analysis.Results: Four main themes were identified: (1) Challenge of discharge transition: unprepared discharge, transfer into other care settings, and eagerness for recovery; (2) Physical and psychological distress against recovery: frail physical state and psychological difficulties; (3) Dependent compliance: absolute trust in healthcare providers, indispensable support from the family, and passive participation in care; and (4) Walking for things they took for granted: hope of walking and poor walking ability.Conclusions: After the hip fracture surgery, older adults hoped to be able to walk to perform the simple daily chores they earlier took for granted. Considering the physical and psychological frailty of older adults, systematic nursing interventions, including collaboration and coordination with other healthcare professional and settings, are necessary during discharge transition after hip fracture surgery. Invitation for care participation by older adults as well as family involvement should be considered at discharge transitional care in South Korea.