Emergency department care transition barriers: A qualitative study of care partners of older adults with cognitive impairment

September 28, 2022

Cameron Gettel, MD, MHS (2021 IMPACT Career Development Award Program recipient, 2022-2023 IMPACT Faculty Scholars Program), Joan Monin, PhD, MS (IMPACT Design & Statistics Core), Ula Hwang, MD, MPH (IMPACT Health Care Systems Core) and colleagues conducted a qualitative study of 25 care partners of people living with cognitive impairment (PLWCI) discharged from four emergency departments (EDs) and found that PLWCI and their care partners are particularly at risk for adverse outcomes after emergency department (ED) discharge. The investigators identified four major themes related to ED discharge care transitions among care partners of PLWCI:

1. Unique care considerations while in the ED setting impact the perceived success of the care transition
2. Poor communication and lack of care partner engagement was a commonplace during the ED discharge process
3. Care partners experienced challenges and additional responsibilities when aiding during acute illness and recovery phases
4. Navigating the health care system after an ED encounter was perceived as difficult by care partners

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