Parental readiness for hospital discharge as a mediator between quality of discharge teaching and parental self‐efficacy in parents of preterm infants

Aims and objectives To examine the extent to which parental readiness for hospital discharge mediates the relationship between quality of discharge teaching and parental self‐efficacy in parents of preterm infants. Background Parental readiness for hospital discharge and self‐efficacy should be considered to establish whether preterm infants and their families are prepared for the discharge. High‐quality discharge teaching could facilitate a smooth discharge transition. However, little is known about how quality of discharge teaching influences parental readiness for hospital discharge and self‐efficacy. Design This was a descriptive cross‐sectional study of 202 parents with preterm infants in a tertiary hospital in Eastern China. Methods The key variables of interest were measured using the Chinese versions of the Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale, Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale‐Parent Form, and Preterm Parenting and Self‐Efficacy Checklist. Path analyses were conducted to test the mediation models. STROBE checklist was used to compile the study's report. Results Parental readiness for discharge (overall and knowledge dimension) partially mediated the relationship between the quality of discharge teaching and parental self‐efficacy. The two dimensions (content received and delivery) of quality of discharge teaching positively influenced parental self‐efficacy by improving parental readiness for discharge. Conclusions Parental readiness for hospital discharge, especially the knowledge dimension, was an important factor in quality of discharge teaching's association with self‐efficacy in parents of preterm infants. Improving the quality of discharge teaching could increase parental readiness for discharge and thus promote parental self‐efficacy. Relevance to clinical practice Improving discharge instructions is essential to help parents of preterm infants prepare for the transition to home care. Assessing readiness and confidence at an early stage and continuing to do so throughout the hospital stay may provide additional ways for nurses to identify parents’ knowledge gaps and to provide tailored interventions at more opportune times before hospital discharge.