Associations between the use of teach-back (vs standard discharge care) and retention of discharge instructions by older participants per information domain
| Standard discharge* | Teach-back* | |||||
| Full retention | Partial to no retention | Full retention | Partial to no retention | OR (95% CI) | AOR (95% CI)† | |
| ED diagnosis and treatment, n (%) | 42 (60.0) | 28 (40.0) | 50 (74.6) | 17 (25.4) | 1.96 (0.95 to 4.07) | 2.19 (1.01–4.75)‡ |
| Medication, n (%) | 22 (50.0) | 22 (50.0) | 45 (91.8) | 4 (8.2) | 11.25 (3.45 to 36.65)‡ | 14.89 (4.12–53.85)‡ |
| Post-ED care, n (%) | 34 (69.4) | 15 (30.6) | 36 (75.0) | 12 (25.0) | 1.32 (0.54 to 3.23) | 1.67 (0.63–4.50) |
| Follow-up appointments, n (%) | 27 (48.2) | 29 (51.8) | 27 (55.1) | 22 (44.9) | 3.56 (1.36 to 9.31)‡ | 3.68 (1.33–10.19)‡ |
| Return precautions, n (%) | 37 (64.9) | 20 (35.1) | 46 (86.8) | 7 (13.2) | 1.32 (0.61 to 2.85) | 1.38 (0.61–3.12) |
*Frequencies and percentages described for participants who received one or more instructions per information domain.
†Adjusted for comorbidity level (Charlson Comorbidity Index) and cognitive impairment at the time of ED discharge (ie, signs of early-stage dementia, post-stroke symptoms, disorientation, confusion).
‡p<0.05.
AOR, adjusted OR; ED, emergency department.