The Bandung neurosurgery patient outcomes project, Indonesia (Part II): Patient pathways and feasibility and acceptability of telephone follow‐up

Introduction Support of neurosurgery patients following discharge from hospital is important. Currently, little is known about patients' in low‐ and middle‐income countries before and after their hospital treatment. This companion paper reports patients' pathways before and after hospital admission and the feasibility of following up this ill‐patient population by telephone. Methods Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years admitted to the Neurosurgery Department in Dr. Hasan Sadikin Hospital—a regional referral hospital in Bandung City, Indonesia. Clinical data were collected on admission by clinicians. In‐person interviews were undertaken with a clinical research nurse 1 to 2 days pre‐discharge, and telephone follow‐up interviews at 1, 2, and 3 months post‐discharge. Information was also collected on pathways prior to admission and following discharge. The number of contact attempts for each patient interview was documented, as was the overall acceptability of undertaking a telephone interview. Results Of 178 patients discharged from hospital, 12 later died. Of the remaining 166 patients, 95% were able to be followed up to 3 months. Two‐thirds of patients had been referred from another hospital. Patients came from, and were discharged to, locations throughout the West Java region. At the 1‐month interview, 84% participants reported that they had had a follow‐up consultation with a health professional—mostly with a neurosurgeon. Conclusion This study has shown that, with a neurosurgery nurse delegated to the role, it is feasible to conduct follow‐up telephone interviews with patients after discharge from a neurosurgery ward and that in fact such follow‐up was appreciated by patients.