The reactions of 40 patients unexpectedly admitted to hospital

Forty patients (21 men and 19 women) unexpectedly informed that they were to be admitted to hospital were interviewed about their reactions from the time they knew of the imminent admission up until the admission itself. The interviews were carried out shortly after admission to a medical ward. Patients' reactions were numerous and diverse. The most common reaction was relief at being admitted. Other reactions were related to anticipating the hospital experience, feelings about their predicament, and concern about life beyond their stay in hospital. Men and women expressed a similar number of reactions, but those who had previously been in hospital expressed fewer reactions than those who had not. The findings are discussed and the implications for practice are considered.