Challenges and Implementation Strategies of the Discharge Planning According to the Nurses' Experiences: A Qualitative Study

Background: Implementation of discharge care planning is one of the essential issues in the health care system. A discharge planning is successful when a patient is prepared before the discharge process, the needs are identified, and adequate education is provided. Objectives: The present study aimed to survey the nurses' experiences regarding the challenges and implementation strategies of discharge planning. Methods: We used content analysis with the Lincoln and Guba approach. We purposefully selected nurses with maximum diversity in terms of age, sex, and work experience. The data collection process was performed through using semi-structured interviews. Results: The results were divided into five main categories and 14 subcategories. The main categories included inadequate attention to the discharge planning, lack of standard and approved discharge planning, defects in organizational sub-structure, social barriers, and perceived defects of the current discharge situation. Conclusions: According to the results, a practical step can be taken to better implement the discharge planning through approving a written discharge planning, educating the staff and patients, paying attention to patient follow-up after discharge, improving the sub-structure, and considering the patient needs.