When the patient is discharged from hospital after an acute, major, life-threatening condition such as myocardial infaction or a cancer, GP follow-up is usually necessary to deal with the long-term implications by:
- helping the patient to come to terms with events and the prognosis
- helping the patient understand the condition and the treatments and changes that will be necessary
- reinterpreting what the patient has been told in terms relevant to the patient's own life
- prescribing and monitoring treatment
- looking out for problems which need an earlier than planned hospital visit
- discussing the situation with other members of the family
- dealing with the emotional aspects of the patient's experience, if necessary treating reactive depression
- co-ordinating the activities of the members of the primary health care team
- reassuring the patient that whatever happens support will be forthcoming if at all possible