Abstract
Introduction
Low readiness for hospital discharge (RHD) can be followed by negative healthcare outcomes. However, no studies have investigated RHD among patients with depression.
Aim
This study aimed to examine patient‐reported RHD and its factors among patients with depression.
Method
In total, 367 inpatients with depression were recruited and completed the Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) and Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale (QDTS). A binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the factors of RHD among patients with depression.
Results
The total RHDS score was 7.70 ± 1.52. Approximately 28.9% of the participants had low RHD (RHDS score＜7). The results revealed that RHD was significantly associated with the length of stay, content received and delivery.
Discussion
RHD among patients with depression is at a moderate level. More than a quarter of people with depression had low RHD. To improve RHD, enhancing the quality of discharge teaching is imperative for patients with depression.
Implications for Practice
Nurses should pay more attention to patients with a hospital stay longer than 20 days. Nurses could improve RHD by enhancing the quality of discharge teaching, particularly the content received and the skills nurses used to deliver such content.