Study Finds Positive Correlation Between Hospital Experience and Quality of Life

A recent study published in BMS Health Services Research found that a patient’s experience with hospital care and quality of integrated care delivery over time was related to quality of life 3 months after discharge from the hospital.

Researchers reported that older patients who leave the hospital with higher levels of satisfaction regarding the received hospital care and integrated care delivery have higher quality of life within those first 3 months post-hospitalization.

“These results underscore the importance of enhancing older patients’ experiences with care delivery,” the authors wrote in their report.

The researchers especially noted that marriage, quality of life within 48 hours of hospital admission and experiences with hospital care and quality of integrated care delivery over the 3-month period and were positively related to quality of life by the 3-month mark post-discharge.

While healthcare improvement and various intervention programs have gained popular use among care providers, researchers explained that professionals find it difficult to balance cost and quality when caring for patients.

“The question for most professionals is how to enhance patients’ experiences with (integrated) care delivery while keeping costs low and make efficient use of resources,” the authors added.