The association between patient self-reported experiences with medication discharge counselling and hospital readmissions: A cross-sectional analysis of a population-based survey.

Objective: To investigate the association between patient-reported experiences with new medication discharge counselling and readmission to hospital or emergency department (ED) visits within 30 days of discharge.

Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study of patient-reported experiences from 8715 patients who reported being prescribed a new medication at discharge from a public hospital. Completeness of medication counselling was assessed based on (i) explanation of medication purpose, (ii) explanation of medication side effects, (iii) patient involvement in decision to use medication, (iv) provision of contradictory information. Multilevel models were used to estimate self-reported 30-day readmission or ED visit related to care received using adjusted odds ratios (AORs).

Results: Patients who were explained medication purpose were half as likely to report a readmission (AOR 0.54, 95%CI 0.31-0.93) or ED visit (AOR 0.65, 95%CI 0.48-0.87) within 30 days of discharge. Conversely, those who reported receiving contradictory information were more likely to report a readmission (AOR 1.62, 95%CI 1.16-2.26) and ED visit (AOR 1.82, 95%CI 1.41-2.34).

Conclusion: Patients who reported receiving comprehensive counselling on new medications were less likely to report being readmitted or visiting an ED within 30 days of discharge.