RT Journal
A1 Kirwan T
T1 PAtient-centered care means better health care
JF Archives of Internal Medicine
JO Archives of Internal Medicine
YR 2011
FD March 14
VO 171
IS 5
SP 474
OP 475
DO 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.50
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2011.50
AB 
I am alarmed that such a high proportion of patients did not know their diagnosis on their day of discharge and were not aware of the possible adverse effects of new medications. It is little wonder that rehospitalization rates are so high when patients do not have basic information about their own medical condition and treatment. It has been shown that patients who do not have a clear understanding of their after-hospital care instructions are 70% more likely to be readmitted or visit the emergency department than patients who do.3 This reinforces the importance of having good systems of communication between health care providers and patients.