Abstract:

A questionnaire was directed towards establishing whether therapist, patients and carers had similar concerns at the point of discharge from a small community hospital, and whether or not these concerns were addressed effectively by the predischarge occupational therapy home visit. On the whole, the visits were found to be comprehensive and very helpful to all participants. There was, however, a significant difference between the three groups in how helpful they had found the discussions on social isolation. There were further differences in the way the three groups responded to advice on financial benefits and commuinty services and in the intended reassuring nature of the visit. Results point to a need for the therapist to re-examine the way in which these particular topics are addressed and the priority they are given within the visit. There is also a need to re-examine the service offered to carers.