Explicating discharge planning preferences among a select group of Filipino nurses: a conjoint analysis

ABSTRACT

Discharge planning is integral in the delivery of effective patient care in clinical settings. Hence, an organized and coordinated system is necessary in facilitating the discharge process and in ensuring a seamless transition of patients from one level of care to another. The purpose of this study is to identify the preferences of nurses on discharge planning, and to analyze the significant differences of nurses' discharge planning preferences and their demographic information. A two-part researcher-made instrument was utilized in the conduct of the study including the robotfoto and plan cards. Preliminarily, the plan cards having nine attributes with two levels each were validated by experts and was pilot-tested to a select group of respondents from the target population. A conjoint analysis survey of 230 nurses in a teaching-and-training hospital was conducted from May and June 2013. Capitalizing on the power of conjoint analysis, preferences of nurses have been unveiled. The most important attribute is the structure (importance value= 19.25%) in which nurses utilize in facilitating the discharge plan. Nurses prefer to employ formal structure (part worth value= 0.442) as it encompasses patient and family involvement following an organized protocol and has detailed documentation. Conversely, comprehensive patient assessment has been the least preferred attribute (importance value= 3.71%) in which the head-to-toe assessment had its part worth value of 0.86. As a whole, an analysis and understanding of nurses' preferences serve as an impetus for them to actively engage in  the discharge planning process by developing effective structures that will benefit patients.