Abstract
BACKGROUND: Children with medical complexity (CMC) require complex care that parents must independently provide and manage when discharged home from hospital. It is important that parents are adequately prepared to safely transition home from hospital with their child. METHOD: A synthesis of findings from research articles was conducted to map and summarize available evidence on CMC and their parents' experiences of discharge from hospital to home. A total of 32 studies were included in this review. Thematic analysis was used to analyze and describe the data. RESULTS: The following key themes were developed during data analysis: preparation and readiness, aids for discharge, overwhelmed with the transition, frustration with time to get home, difficulties with transitions and discharge interventions. CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the importance of taking steps to ensure CMC and their parents undergo a thorough and planned discharge process to prepare parents to confidently provide safe care to their children in the home. Approaches and strategies for comprehensive and safe discharge are provided.