A randomized trial of a Telephone Reassurance Programme for patients recently discharged from an ophthalmic unit

Patients often experience problems after discharge, for instance with housekeeping or a general lack of information. The effect of a nurse-initiated Telephone Reassurance Programme (TRP) on ophthalmic patient outcomes was investigated. Patients in the intervention group were phoned by a nurse 3-6 days after being randomized and discharged home. Patients in both intervention and control groups received a questionnaire 1 week and 1 month after discharge to assess the patient outcomes 'Informational needs', 'Uncertainty', 'Emotional complaints' and 'Functional limitations'. In an attempt to explain the lack of statistically significant results, the limitations related to the participants, intervention and outcomes are discussed.