GPs' perceptions of unintelligible text or codes in discharge summaries as potential threats to patient safety: a nationwide survey.

Abstract

Follow-up by the GP after the patient's discharge from hospital is important for patient safety and reduces the risk of readmission to hospital. Hence, it is important that discharge summaries provide effective discharge communication to general practice. To investigate whether GPs perceive incomprehensible text elements in discharge summaries as a potential threat to patient safety. Nationwide survey among a representative sample of Danish GPs. A questionnaire was prepared for GPs based on background material, focus group interviews, and discussions with relevant professionals. It was subsequently pilot tested by fellow researchers and GPs and revised before the presently reported survey. Of the 310 participating GPs, 201 (64.8%) 'totally agree' or 'partially agree' that discharge summaries contain incomprehensible text or codes, causing them concern about missing important information in discharge summaries. In total, 238 (76.8%) participants 'totally agree' or 'partially agree' that incomprehensible text or codes in discharge summaries are a threat to patient safety. The survey reveals that most GPs find discharge summaries contain incomprehensible text or codes, which raises concerns about missing critical information that may pose a threat to patient safety.