Edward S. 2026 | BASIS Independent McLean
- Project Title: A Comparative Analysis of Hospital Discharge Instruction Methods: Effects on Patient Comprehension and Associations with 30-Day Readmission Rates
- BASIS Independent Advisor: Farhan Ahmad
- Internship Location: Inova
- Onsite Mentor: Lauren Landwermeyer
Hospital readmissions and poor patient comprehension of discharge instructions remain persistent healthcare challenges, driven in part by low health literacy and ineffective communication. Studies estimate that roughly one-third of Americans struggle to understand basic medical information, and preventable readmissions cost billions of dollars annually. This project investigates which discharge instruction methods (e.g. teach-back, simplified written materials, multimedia tools, or follow-up calls) most effectively increase patient comprehension and if it leads to reduced 30-day readmission rates. My on-site experience will take place at INOVA Alexandria Hospital, a setting offering direct exposure to real interactions during discharge.
