Factors Influencing Readiness for Hospital Discharge Among Patients With Schizophrenia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Schizophrenia is a severe disabling disease associated with disease relapse and a high readmission rate after hospital discharge. Readiness for hospital discharge plays a crucial role in patients transitioning from the hospital to the community, as well as in improving post-discharge outcomes. However, previous studies have predominantly focused on personal characteristics, social support, and nurses' guidance during discharge, while disease-related factors and ward environment factors have been overlooked.

To assess the current status and factors influencing readiness for hospital discharge among patients with schizophrenia.

390 patients and 14 head nurses of psychiatric wards from six tertiary hospitals in China completed the questionnaire from July 2023 to January 2024. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and multiple linear regression. This study was reported using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist.

The mean score of readiness for hospital discharge among patients with schizophrenia was high (102.63 ± 15.69). The quality of discharge teaching, schizophrenia self-management, perceived social support, and other factors affecting the ability to control symptoms such as stigma and family conflicts significantly influenced readiness for hospital discharge, explained by 47.50% of the total variation in the model.

The current study has revealed a high level of readiness for hospital discharge, schizophrenia self-management, perceived social support, and quality of discharge teaching among patients with schizophrenia. In addition, the quality of discharge teaching, self-management, social support, and other reasons affecting the ability to control symptoms were the key factors influencing readiness for hospital discharge among patients with schizophrenia. Therefore, personalised hospital discharge preparation for patients with schizophrenia throughout their hospitalisation period is needed for effective community reintegration.