Patients' and Providers' Perspectives of the Transition of Care from Hospital to Community for Hispanic/Latino Adults with Diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Transition of care is a critical point of care for Hispanic/Latino patients with diabetes, who face higher rates of diabetes-related complications and hospital readmission and challenges during the transition of care from hospital to the community. METHODS: Using semi-structured interviews, with questions tailored to each group, we explored patients' and providers' perspectives of their experiences and challenges during the transition of care of Hispanic/Latino adult patients with diabetes from the hospital to the community. RESULTS: Overlapping themes emerged from both patient and provider interviews identifying common barriers regarding the transition of care, including discordance due to language/communication barriers, perceived burden/nuisance, lack/unawareness of available resources, and lack of patient education. CONCLUSIONS: Findings in this study provide a frame of reference that can be used to address challenges facing Hispanic/Latino patients with diabetes. The uniqueness of this study is its exploration of the perspectives of patients and healthcare providers and the overlapping themes that emerged. Additionally, timely outpatient follow-up care, education, and reducing communication discordance can help with lowering readmission rates for patients with diabetes, especially those who are medically disadvantaged and have language barriers.

Duke Scholars

Author Leonor Corsino Medicine, Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Nutrition