Discharge teaching, readiness for hospital discharge and post‐discharge outcomes in cataract patients: A structural equation model analysis

AIM: To explore the interaction mechanism of cataract patients' quality of discharge teaching, discharge readiness and post-discharge outcomes using structural equation model analysis. BACKGROUND: The quality of discharge teaching and discharge readiness are two indicators used to evaluate the quality of hospital discharge services. Little research has been done on the quality of discharge teaching, discharge readiness and post-discharge outcomes in cataract patients, especially in China. METHODS: Four questionnaires were administered to 192 patients, and the results were analysed using Spearman's correlation and structural equation model. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed low-to-moderate correlations among the quality of discharge teaching, discharge readiness and post-discharge outcome variables; discharge readiness played an intermediary role in the interaction mechanism of the three variables. CONCLUSION: The cataract patients demonstrated satisfactory quality of discharge teaching, discharge readiness and post-discharge outcomes. Quality of discharge teaching affected post-discharge outcomes through the intermediary role of discharge readiness. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing managers should recognize the importance of discharge services, pay more attention to improve the quality of discharge teaching and strengthen discharge readiness to prevent the risks of post-discharge complications and readmission.