Abstract
The first aim of this study was to compare patients' satisfaction regarding discharge support between those who received support directly from the Discharge Support Section (DSS group) and those who were supported by the ward staff (WS group). The second purpose was to assess patients' evaluation regarding the DSS' support.
140 patients who were discharged between October and December 2006 and who were screened as having needed discharge support at the time of their hospitalization were included in this survey. They answered the modified Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8J consisting of 16 questions.
Satisfaction degree regarding explanations on utilization of welfare services and instructions of care were significant higher in the DSS group than in the WS group. This suggests an important direct support by the Discharge Support Section.
In the DSS group, patients who received mainly “home care preparation” explanations assessed explanations of daily life, medical care, and action in an emergency after leaving hospital higher than patients who received mainly “supports for hospital shift” or “consultation regarding care and welfare”. A reason might be that “home care preparation” explanations are given to patients together with their family.
