Uncertainty Dilemma and Service Demands During the Discharge Transition Period for Elderly Patients with Comorbidities: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the challenges and service needs faced by elderly patients with comorbidities during the transition from hospital discharge, and the study is proposing a way forward for transitioning the elderly patients with multimorbidity. Patients and Methods: A purposive sampling approach was employed to select 12 elderly patients with comorbidities from the geriatric departments of two tertiary hospitals in the Xinjiang region between November 2024 and March 2025. A phenomenological research design was utilized to conduct semi-structured interviews with participants. Data were analyzed using the seven-step Colaizzi method for phenomenological analysis, supported by Nvivo 15.0 software. Results: Three main themes and twelve subthemes were identified: (1) Support System Dilemma, (2) Guidance Needs for Discharge Information, (3) Demand for Continuous Services and Safeguards in Medical Institutions. Conclusion: Elderly patients with comorbidities experience multiple challenges and unmet needs during the discharge transition period. Clinically, it is essential to establish a multidisciplinary transitional care team, conduct comprehensive pre-discharge assessments, enhance system support and polypharmacy management, develop tailored discharge guidance plans to improve the quality of life during the post-discharge transition period.