Abstract
The adherence to follow-up testing instructions post-hospitalization is influenced by a variety of factors. Our aim was to assess the parental adherence to follow-up instructions and identify the factors that influence it. Parents of 200 children were asked about their adherence with these instructions; responses were obtained from 184 of 200. Parents did not adhere in 20 of 194 (10.9%) of cases. Families of infants under 12 months and children older than 10 years had lower adherence rates. Test completion was more frequent for children discharged with a test appointment compared with those discharged without an appointment (96% vs 86.6%; P =.07). The main reasons for non-adherence were disagreement as to the value of the testing (45%) or parental misunderstanding (30%). In conclusion, in order to increase adherence with post-hospitalization follow-up testing, physicians should focus on explaining the need and importance of the test and schedule an appointment prior to discharge.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 571-575 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Clinical Pediatrics |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 6 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 2023 |
Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© The Author(s) 2022.
Keywords
- adherence
- children
- discharge instructions
- follow-up
- parents