A systematic review of communication between hospital allied health and primary care: Opportunities for hospital-based occupational therapists to improve discharge communication

Jacinta Sheehan, Kate Laver, Anoo Bhopti, Miia Rahja, Tim Usherwood, Lindy Clemson, Natasha A. Lannin

Research output: Contribution to conferenceAbstractpeer-review

Abstract

Introduction / Rationale: Effective multidisciplinary communication reduces unplanned hospital readmission, post-discharge complications, and increases satisfaction and yet has not been systematically reviewed. There is a particular gap in our understanding of the effectiveness of discharge communication from allied health professionals, including occupational therapists.
Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to determine methods and effectiveness of discharge communications between hospital allied health and primary care practitioners. The implications for occupational therapists will be synthesized.
Method / Approach: Systematic review of quantitative and qualitative studies. Five electronic databases were searched up to January 2020; all reported outcomes were extracted. A narrative synthesis strategy was used to organize, summarize and present data.
Results and or Practice Implications: 24 studies met the inclusion criteria. While none specifically investigated the methods and/or the effectiveness of communication, the data suggested a reliance on multidisciplinary care plans for communication of allied health recommendations at the time of discharge from hospital. There was little to no explicit discussion of the role of hospital-based occupational therapists in transferring functional information at discharge.
Conclusion: Communication is a cornerstone of collaborative care, yet the medical focus of hospital discharge processes may not support multidisciplinary communication during transitions of care. Hospital based occupational therapists hold key information on functional performance at discharge, however there is a lack of evidence about how to most effectively transfer this information. There is an opportunity for occupational therapists to advocate for more effective communication with primary care to facilitate continuity of integrated people-centred care.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages1
Publication statusPublished - 3 Sept 2022
EventInternational Congress of the World-Federation-of-Occupational-Therapists 2022: Occupational R-Evolution - Paris, France
Duration: 28 Aug 202231 Aug 2022
Conference number: 18th
https://wfotcongress2022.org/
https://www.xcdsystem.com/wfot/program/bzxHrTN/index.cfm?pgid=2300&RunRemoveSessionFilter=1 (link to where you can search the full program for the abstracts )

Conference

ConferenceInternational Congress of the World-Federation-of-Occupational-Therapists 2022
Abbreviated titleWFOT 2022
Country/TerritoryFrance
CityParis
Period28/08/2231/08/22
Internet address

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