The Benefits of Telephone Follow-up (TFU)

This is a randomized controlled trial. The experimental group will receive a phone call within 72 hours of discharge to provide psycho education, clarify any questions they may have and to reinforce discharge plans made in the ED. The control group will not receive this phone call. Within 30 days of discharge, both groups will receive a phone call to collect data on treatment compliance including medication and follow-up adherence and if any additional visits to the Emergency Department were necessary.

• Telephone Follow-up (Behavioral): Telephone Follow-up within 72 hours to discuss psycho education, discharge planning and clarify any questions they may have.

Primary outcomes

• Emergency Department readmission rates [30 days.]: Does a telephone call reduce readmission rates?

Secondary outcomes

• Satisfaction with care in the Emergency Department using a 7 point Likert Scale as a function of the telephone follow up. [30 days.]: Various measures of satisfaction in care provided in Emergency Department. Higher scores indicate higher satisfaction.
• Adherence to pharmacological interventions and follow-up appointments. [30 days.]: Adhering to pharmacological interventions and follow-up appointments by self rating on a 7 point Likert Scale. Higher scores indicate greater adherence to treatment adherence.
• Understanding of Treatment plan [30 days.]: Assessing if the participant believes they have a good understanding of their care plan by self rating on a 7 point Likert Scale. Higher scores indicate greater understanding of treatment plan.

Sex: All, ages: 18 Years to any, accepts healthy volunteers

Inclusion Criteria

* Discharged from the ED
* Age of majority
* Competent.

Exclusion Criteria

* Incompetent,
* Under 18
* Admitted to the hospital

• Alana E Prejet, BScPN, BA, Principal investigator, Brandon University