Background: Discharge education initiated early and performed with teach-back has been shown to improve transition outcomes. However, little is known about parental discharge education preferences. Our objective was to understand parental preferences regarding discharge education learning styles and timing.
Methods: Parents of non-technology dependent children less than 2 years of age or children with asthma age 2-17 on an acute care unit were asked 9 questions, including “What (is)…the best way to learn how to give a new medication?” Responses were rated on a 1-4 Likert scale: 1) verbal instruction; 2) written directions; 3) demonstration; and 4) watching an instructional video. Parents were also asked “Do you think repeating what you have learned will make you feel more comfortable… with discharge?” and “Would (it) be helpful to begin learning… before the day of discharge?” Categorical data, including the payor type was collected via chart review and used as a screen for medical and socioeconomic complexity; Medicaid (medically complex), Medicaid HMO (socioeconomically complex) and private insurance (non-complex). Data was analyzed using frequency analysis and the Mann-Whitney U test.
Results: 100 parents completed the interview. 90% of parents felt that demonstration was the best method to learn to give a new medication. When stratified by payor type, all of those with Medicaid (n=13) preferred demonstration. Those with Medicaid HMO were more likely to prefer demonstration than those with private insurance (p=.031). Those with Medicaid insurance were more likely to positively rate verbal instruction than those with private insurance (p=.027). 97% of parents and caregivers thought it would be helpful to begin discharge education before the day of discharge. 90% of parents and caregivers felt that repeating back information would be beneficial.
Conclusions: While a majority of parents felt that demonstration is an effective way to learn, differences in learning preferences were found between patient populations highlighting the importance of considering parental preferences when undertaking discharge education. In addition, a majority of parents believe that discharge education should begin before the discharge day and should include a method, like teach-back, for confirmation of understanding.