Learning needs of hospitalized and recently discharged patients.

Abstract

Patients' perceptions about the importance of health information they receive during hospitalization and their satisfaction with this information was investigated in a study of hospitalized and recently discharged patients. Results show that information about medications, treatment and complications, and enhancing quality of life are most valued by hospitalized patients followed by information concerning activities of living, community follow-up, skin care, and feelings about condition. For recently discharged patients, the importance of most health information increases, rather than diminishes. These recently discharged patients show high levels of satisfaction with the information they received during hospitalization. These results suggest that hospital-based nurses prioritize patient learning needs and diversify teaching strategies to address patient knowledge deficits both in the hospital and immediately post-discharge.