Individual research recommendation details

Recommendation ID

NG27/1

Question

Training for hospital and social care practitioners:- What is the effect of hospital discharge or transitions training for health and social care practitioners on achieving successful transfers from hospital to home or the community, including the effects on formal and informal carers, and on avoidable readmissions?

Any explanatory notes
(if applicable)

Why this is important:- There is a lack of UK evidence. There is some evidence from US studies that training improves medical students' confidence in planning hospital discharge. It also shows that dedicated transitions training involving home visits helps medical and pharmacy students appreciate the person's home environment and how it may affect discharge decisions. It does not show whether this translates into improved outcomes or systems.
Comparative studies on staff training are needed to examine which approaches improve outcomes for people and their carers, including safety and safeguarding. They should also examine whether training improves discharge systems and service level outcomes.
Qualitative data are needed from hospital and community practitioners involved in transitions (including managers and frontline practitioners) about their perceptions and experiences of training. Interviews and qualitative studies are needed with people using services and their carers to gauge their views of the skills and competence of practitioners.
The views of commissioners and provider organisations on their experiences of training are needed. A scoping study could identify the range and content of current training and ongoing support for practitioners involved in transitions. The outputs of this could inform future study design.

Source guidance details

Comes from guidance

Transition between inpatient hospital settings and community or care home settings for adults with social care needs

Number

NG27

Date issued

December 2015

Other details