Nursing Commons^™

Reducing Preventable Hospitalizations: A Study Of Two Models Of Transitional Care, Jessica Morrison

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

Purpose: Transitional care is an emerging model of health care designed to decrease preventable adverse events and associated utilization of healthcare through temporary follow-up after hospital discharge. This study describes the approach and outcomes of two transitional care programs: one is provided by masters-prepared clinical nurse specialists (CNS) with a chronic disease self-management focus, another by physicians specializing in palliative care (PPC). Existing research has shown that transitional care programs with intensive follow up reduce hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and costs. Few studies, however, have included side-by-side comparisons of the efficacy of transitional care programs varying by health care providers …

A Study To Investigate The Significance Of Knowing One's Prognosis In People Diagnosed With Life-Limiting Illnesses, Erika Currier

Graduate College Dissertations and Theses

ABSTRACT

Background: For patients with life-limiting illnesses, having adequate knowledge of prognosis can strongly impact the choice between curative and supportive treatment.

Objectives: The purpose of this research study is to explore patient understanding of prognosis and to illuminate the experience of having or not having prognostic information in people diagnosed with life-limiting illnesses. This study aims to investigate the patient's understanding of the term "prognosis", the significance of the term "prognosis" to the patient, and how prognosis may or may not affect future treatment choices. In addition, this study aims to further understand the experience of prognostic communication between …