Why Do Hospital-Based Occupational Therapists Carry Out Post-Discharge Home Visits with Elderly People?

Abstract

This study examined why hospital-based occupational therapists carry out post-discharge home visits with elderly people, due to the varying frequency within local practice, and used qualitative methods to answer the research question. The results showed that activities concerned with the provision of equipment were the most frequent and that little time was spent in monitoring or treating the patient after discharge. Time was mentioned as a major factor in not carrying out visits, but in fact most visits took less than half an hour. The study emphasised a significant gap in the service, covering patients' post-discharge needs and treatment sessions in the community, and showed the importance of improving communication between multidisciplinary teams and effective planning before discharge. There is a need in Salford for an occupational therapist to work with elderly people to fill this gap and liaise with the hospital multidisciplinary team about plans for discharge.