Challenges of Post-Discharge Follow-up in Psychiatric Patients in Isfahan Farabi Hospital: A Qualitative Study

Background and purpose: Comprehensive discharge program refers to providing education, follow-up and continuity of care. This issue is one of the requirements for the effectiveness of treatment in patients with mental health diseases. This study aimed at investigating post discharge follow-up challenges in psychiatric patients in Isfahan Farabi Hospital, 2021. Materials and methods: A qualitative study with Conventional Content Analysis approach was conducted by interviewing 13 nurses, physicians, managers, and hospital discharge staff who were purposefully selected. Sampling was performed until reaching data saturation. Data were analyzed using MAXQDA V10. Results: Findings were organized into 32 Semantic codes and three main categories that each included two subcategories: I. Patient and Disease Challenges (nature of disease and patient/family condition), II. Hospital and Health System Challenges (hospital policy and procedures and poor intersectoral communication), and III. Socio-Economic Challenges (lack of social support and financial problems). Conclusion: Effective follow-up of psychiatric patients is faced with some problems such as insufficient insurance coverage, lack of awareness of families, and lack of a thorough follow-up process. Meanwhile, poor social services and supporting institutions contribute to aggravation of disease and hospital readmission.