Mental health care professionals' experiences with the discharge planning process and transitioning patients attending outpatient clinics into community care.

Background: Health care reform promotes delivery of mental health care in the community. Outpatient mental healthcare professionals (HCPs) are pressured to discharge patients. This study's purpose: to understand the experience and perceptions of mental HCPs with discharge planning and transitioning patients into community care.

Methods: Twelve HCPs participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews.

Findings: Three main categories: engaging in the discharge planning process, making the transition smooth, and guiding values emerged. A conceptual framework was created to explain the phenomenon.

Conclusion: HCPs valued strengthening partnerships and building relationships to ensure smooth transition. Sufficient resources and trust imperative for safe patient discharge.