Consumer Education in Discharge Planning for Continuity of Care

Abstract

The need to establish continuity of care for patients in transition from the hospital to community is essential for adequate community adjustment. The Resource Group model of discharge planning is based upon a consumer education model which emphasizes the responsibility of the individual in discharge planning. In these groups, the partial hospitalization program staff representative and the clinical pharmacist, in conjunction with inpatient clinical social workers, begin discharge planning with inpatients during the early phase of hospitalization. Increased utilization of partial hospitalization services has resulted in greater continuity of care.