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Objectives The impact of the quality of discharge communication between physicians and their patients is critical on patients’ health outcomes. Nevertheless, low recall of information given to patients at discharge from emergency departments (EDs) is a well-documented problem. Therefore, we investigated the outcomes and related benefits of two different communication strategies: Physicians were instructed to either use empathy (E) or information structuring (S) skills hypothesizing superior recall by patients in the S group. Methods For the direct comparison of two communication strategies at discharge, physicians were cluster-randomized to an E or a S skills training. Feasibility was measured by training completion rates. Outcomes were measured in patients immediately after discharge, after 7, and 30 days. Primary outcome was patients’ immediate recall of discharge information. Secondary outcomes were feasibility of training implementation, patients’ adherence to recommendations and satisfaction, as well as the patient-physician relationship. Results Of 117 eligible physicians, 80 (68.4%) completed the training. Out of 256 patients randomized to one of the two training groups (E: 146 and S: 119) 196 completed the post-discharge assessment. Patients’ immediate recall of discharge information was superior in patients in the S-group vs. E-group. Patients in the S-group adhered to more recommendations within 30 days (p = .002), and were more likely to recommend the physician to family and friends (p = .021). No differences were found on other assessed outcome domains. Conclusions and practice Implications Immediate recall and subsequent adherence to recommendations were higher in the S group. Feasibility was shown by a 69.6% completion rate of trainings. Thus, trainings of discharge information structuring are feasible and improve patients’ recall, and may therefore improve quality of care in the ED.

Background End-of-life decisions (EOLD) represent potentially highly consequential decisions often made in acute situations, such as 'do not attempt resuscitation' (DNAR) choices at emergency presentation. Aim We investigated DNAR decisions in an emergency department (ED) to assess prevalence, associated patient characteristics, potential medical and economic consequences and estimate contributions of patients and physicians to DNAR decisions. Design Single-centre retrospective observation, including ED patients with subsequent hospitalization between 2012 and 2016. Primary outcome was a DNAR decision and associated patient characteristics. Secondary outcomes were mortality, admission to intensive care unit and use of resources. Methods Associations between DNAR and patient characteristics were analysed using logistic mixed effects models, results were reported as odds ratios (OR). Median odds ratios (MOR) were used to estimate patient and physician contributions to variability in DNAR. Results Patients of 10 458 were attended by 315 physicians. DNAR was the choice in 23.3% of patients. Patients' characteristics highly associated with DNAR were age (OR = 4.0, 95% CI = 3.6-4.3) and non-trauma presentation (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.9-2.9). In-hospital mortality was significantly higher (OR = 5.4, CI = 4.0-7.3), and use of resources was significantly lower (OR = 0.7, CI = 0.6-0.8) in patients choosing DNAR. There was a significant effect on DNAR by both patient (MOR = 1.8) and physician (MOR = 2.0). Conclusions DNAR choices are common in emergency patients and closely associated with age and non-trauma presentation. Mortality was significantly higher, and use of resources significantly lower in DNAR patients. Evidence of a physician effect raises questions about the choice autonomy of emergency patients in the process of EOLD.

We investigated the effects of information structuring and its potential interaction with pre-existing medical knowledge on recall in a simulated discharge communication.127 proxy-patients (i.e. students) were randomly assigned to one of four conditions. Video vignettes provided identical information, differing in means of information structuring only: The natural conversation (NC) condition was not explicitly structured whereas the structure (S) condition presented information organised by chapter headings. The book metaphor (BM) and the post organizer (PO) conditions also presented structured information but in addition included a synopsis, either at the beginning or at the end of discharge communication, respectively. Proxy-patients' recall, perception of quality and pre-existing medical knowledge were assessed.Information structuring (conditions: S, BM, PO) did not increase recall in comparison to NC, but pre-existing medical knowledge improved recall (p .01). An interaction between medical knowledge and recall in the BM condition was found (p = .02). In comparison to the NC, proxy-patients in all information structuring conditions more strongly recommended the physician (p .001).Structured discharge communication complemented by the BM is beneficial in individuals with lower pre-existing medical knowledge.The lower pre-existing medical knowledge, the more recipients will profit from information structuring with the BM.