Health Care Transitions: Perceptions from Older Patients in Rhode Island

摘要

Health care transitions are often dangerous for older patients.Interviews with older adults about their health caremoves in Rhode Island (RI) were conducted to develop anInternal Medicine (IM) curriculum designed to provideIM interns with insights about the impact of transitionson patients. This paper describes some ways patients talkabout their transitional experiences. Following pilot interviews,10 nursing home residents were interviewedabout their care transitions, conversations with physicians,and advice to doctors beginning their careers. Theinterviews were analyzed to identify themes. Patientsdescribed multiple moves, often did not know what toexpect, appreciated help from a family member and desiredeffective communications with physicians. Learningabout patient experiences may help new physiciansappreciate the experiences of transitions on patients.