Table 3 Findings, including main themes and thematic statements, with calculated frequency effect % (rounded to nearest whole number)

Lack of information about health situation, treatment and/or care

[11, 13, 14, 30, 37, 38, 40,41,42]

Experience of rushed discharge

[14, 15, 37, 38, 40,41,42,43]

Confusion about medication

[5, 14, 15, 30, 38, 40,41,42]

Lack of involvement in own treatment and care

[11, 13, 14, 37, 40,41,42]

Not being involved in decisions about own life

[11, 13, 14, 37, 40,41,42]

Not understanding information

[14, 37, 38, 40,41,42]

Several providers coordinating care led to discontinuity of care

[13,14,15, 37, 38, 40]

Errors in treatment

[13, 14, 30, 38, 40, 41]

Discharge information not explained well

[14, 38, 40,41,42]

Lack of information about when to go home

[11, 14, 15, 42, 43]

Lack of communication between the different service providers

[13, 14, 30, 38, 40]

Conflicting opinions between healthcare providers

[13, 14, 38, 40]

Lack of medical reconciliation

[14, 38, 40]

Experience of well-prepared and timely discharge

[30, 42, 43]

Dependent on additional help from others

[5, 11, 13,14,15, 30, 37,38,39,40,41,42,43]

Losing independence

[11, 13, 15, 30, 38,39,40,41,42,43]

Finding the transition back home a challenge

[5, 13, 15, 30, 38,39,40, 43]

Home not being prepared

[5, 13, 15, 30, 38,39,40, 42]

Problems performing daily activities

[5, 11, 15, 30, 38, 39, 43]

Not receiving care according to needs

[5, 15, 30, 38,39,40, 43]

Wanting to maintain and regain independence

[11, 15, 37,38,39, 43]

Not feeling ready to go home

[11, 37, 40, 42, 43]

Feeling confident to go home

[11, 37, 39, 42, 43]

Not being able to participate in meaningful activities

[5, 15, 30, 39, 43]

Feeling lonely and isolated

[5, 15, 30, 39, 43]

Lack of specialised equipment

[5, 13, 30, 38, 39]

Changing healthcare personnel disturbed effort to get back to daily routines

[15, 30]

Feeling depressed

[15, 30]

Experiencing no meaning in life

[15, 30]

Wanting to die

[15, 30]

Dependent on informal caregivers for medication and healthcare

[5, 14, 15, 37, 38, 40,41,42]

Dependent on family and friends to manage daily activities at home

[5, 11, 15, 30, 37,38,39, 43]

Being aware of the effort put in by informal caregivers

[5, 11, 30, 39, 40]

Importance of strong, positive relationships with family and friends

[5, 11, 15, 30, 39]

Dependent on informal caregivers to understand information

[14, 37, 41, 42]

Illness putting a strain on relationship with family and friends

[11, 30, 39]

Feeling like a burden

[11, 30, 39]

Healthcare personnel perceived as distant and stressed

[11, 13, 14, 30, 37, 38, 41, 42]

Not being seen or heard

[11, 13, 14, 40,41,42]

Reluctant to ask

[14, 37, 40,41,42]

Healthcare personnel perceived as authoritarian

[11, 41,42,43]

Doctor knows best

[14, 40,41,42]