Exploring Factors influencing Patient Experience in Hospital Admission and Discharge Processes: A Qualitative Study Based on Low-Value Care De-implementation Theory

Background: The hospital admission and discharge process is a critical component of healthcare delivery, and its efficiency and quality directly influence patients’ care experiences and the rational allocation of medical resources. The de-implementation theory of low-value care emphasizes identifying and eliminating clinical procedures or services that provide limited benefit to patients, thereby improving care quality, resource efficiency, and overall patient experience. Methods: We adopted a descriptive qualitative design for this research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 participants recruited through purposive sampling from four tertiary hospitals and two secondary hospitals in Central China. The participants included patients, family caregivers, nurses, and physicians. Interview transcripts were analyzed using conventional content analysis, involving iterative coding, categorization, and thematic abstraction.The study followed the COREQ reporting guidelines, and ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board. Results: This study identified four themes that influence patients’ experiences with hospital admission and discharge processes: (1) communication gaps before admission, (2) communication imbalance during hospitalization, (3) limited functionality of online systems, and (4) redundant offline procedures. Conclusion: Based on the de-implementation theory of low-value care, the findings suggest that clinical processes can be optimized through the effective use of information technology and enhanced interdepartmental collaboration.These optimized processes are characterized by standardized information, streamlined workflows, specialized staff, and refined service delivery.Together these improvements contribute to lower medical costs and enhanced patient experience.