Reducing Harms After ‘before Medically Advised’ Hospital Discharge

Before medically advised (BMA) discharge (when patients discharge themselves from hospital despite needing ongoing hospital care) is common among medically vulnerable patients, including but not limited to patients with a history of drug use, HIV, serious infections or homelessness. The risk of harms (e.g. emergency department visit, drug overdose, death) are very high in the days after BMA discharge, as these patients are often still very sick, and might also have lower tolerance for drugs than they did before their hospitalization. Using routinely collected health data from British Columbia, we will see if specific clinical services (e.g. medication prescriptions, follow-up doctor visits) can reduce harms after BMA discharge.

We are seeking input on study findings and implications from 3-5 patients who either have personal experience with BMA discharge or have closely supported a loved one through it. Once funded, we aim to meet virtually 1-2 times a year (2h each; $20/h) for feedback on study design (Year 1) and on results and implications (Years 2-4).

Our findings can help doctors and public health officials design programs to reduce harms and potentially save lives.

Please email us if you need more information (mayesha.khan@ubc.ca).

(NOTE: opportunity switched to the RESEARCH tab on Aug.11:
https://patientvoicesbc.ca/patient-partners/volunteer/reachbc/can-we-prevent-drug-overdose-and-death-after-against-medical-advice-ama-discharge/)

Level of Engagement

This opportunity is at the level of Consult on the IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation.

Eligibility

• Willing & comfortable to share health care experiences in a group setting
• Specific health care experiences [details below]
• Have access to technology and the internet to participate in the engagement opportunity
• Comfortable using technology to attend online/virtual meetings
• An interest in improving health care services
• The time to participate in the engagement opportunity
• Experience with self-initiated discharge (also known as against medical advice discharge, or before medically advised discharge) from hospital.

Patient Partners ARE NOT required to be PVN members to participate in this engagement opportunity.

Health Care Partner Contact Information

Mayesha Khan Research Coordinator, Medicine | University of British Columbia (999) 999-9999 mayesha.khan@ubc.ca