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The discharge summary is the main vector of communication at the time of hospital discharge, but it is known to be insufficient. Direct phone contact between hospitalist and primary care physician PCP at discharge could ensure rapid transmission of information, improve patient safety and promote interprofessional collaboration. The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and benefit of a phone call from hospitalist to PCP to plan discharge.
This study was a prospective, single-center, cross-sectional observational study. It took place in an acute medicine unit of a French university hospital. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients whose primary care physician could be reached by telephone at the time of discharge. The telephone contact was perceived by hospitalist as useful and providing security. The PCPs were satisfied and wanted this intervention to become systematic.
Telephone contact did not reduce the readmission rate. Despite the implementation of a standardized process, the feasibility of the intervention was modest. The main obstacle was hospitalists lacking time and facing difficulties in reaching the PCPs. However, physicians showed desire to communicate directly by telephone at the time of discharge. Keywords: Patient discharge, Communication, Primary care physicians, Hospitalists, Interprofessional relations, Telephone.
The hospital discharge is a risky moment in the healthcare process. Medical responsibility is transferred from the inpatient provider or hospitalist to the primary care physician PCP [ 1 ]. In France, the PCP, also known as the treating physician or family physician, practices general medicine and occupies the central role of care coordinator. Poor coordination between healthcare professionals leads to discontinuity of care. It can be responsible for adverse events such as medical errors or drugs events, avoidable hospital readmissions and even death [ 2 , 3 ].
