The Risk of Patient Self Discharges: Improving High-Risk Patients' Rehabilitation

Abstract

Addiction related literature suggests that people struggling with addiction do not always respect the rehabilitation process nor adhere to medical advice during the recovery process. The purpose of this senior-level undergraduate internship was to improve processes of a rehabilitation discussion group of high risk patients identified as potential risk of self-discharging against medical advice. After hours of observation and participation, changes were made by student intern & staff to improve identification of these high risk patients and improve attendance tracking. Attendance processes and revised curriculum were altered. As a result, case managers were able to lead improved group discussions. Direct conversations addressing patients' unique issues of concern were evident.