Cancer survivors' experiences of discharge from hospital follow-up

• Published in: European journal of cancer care Vol. 21; no. 3; pp. 390 - 397
• Main Authors: HARRISON, S.E., WATSON, E.K., WARD, A.M., KHAN, N.F., TURNER, D., ADAMS, E., FORMAN, D., ROCHE, M.F., ROSE, P.W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01-05-2012; Hindawi Limited
• Subjects: Adaptation, Psychological; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Breast cancer; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; cancer follow-up; Colorectal Neoplasms - psychology; Continuity of Patient Care - standards; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; hospital discharge; Humans; long-term cancer survivors; Male; Medical research; Middle Aged; Nursing; Patient Discharge; Patient Satisfaction; Prostatic Neoplasms - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivors - psychology; Time Factors; United Kingdom > UK
• ISSN: 0961-5423; 1365-2354
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2354.2011.01312.x

HARRISON S.E., WATSON E.K., WARD A.M., KHAN N.F., TURNER D., ADAMS E., FORMAN D., ROCHE M.F. & ROSE P.W. (2012) European Journal of Cancer Care21, 390–397
Cancer survivors' experiences of discharge from hospital follow‐up
Discharge from hospital follow‐up is a key time point in the cancer journey. With recommendations for earlier discharge of cancer survivors, attention to the discharge process is likely to become increasingly important. This study explored cancer survivors' experiences of discharge from hospital follow‐up. Survivors of breast, colorectal and prostate cancer (n= 1275), 5–16 years post diagnosis were approached to take part in a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire included questions about discharge status, provision of time/information prior to discharge, feelings at discharge and satisfaction with how discharge was managed. Completed questionnaires were returned by 659 survivors (51.7%). Approximately one‐third of respondents were not discharged from follow‐up 5–16 years post diagnosis. Of those discharged, a substantial minority reported insufficient time (27.9%), information (24.5–45.0%) or adverse emotions (30.9%) at the time of discharge. However, 90.6% of respondents reported satisfaction with how discharge from hospital follow‐up was managed. Despite high levels of satisfaction, discharge of cancer survivors from hospital follow‐up could be improved with the provision of additional time, information and support. Better structuring of the final hospital appointment or a review appointment in primary care at this time could help to ensure that discharge from hospital follow‐up is managed optimally for cancer survivors.