Name the people responsible for the transition
Ask which team member coordinates discharge and which professional will receive the handover at home. Record the proposed first appointment and a contact route for questions. A programme abroad should not be assumed to arrange a local clinician automatically. Agree who books appointments, what records are needed and whether the person returning home needs additional practical support.
Agree which records may be shared
Discuss consent for sharing the discharge summary, relevant assessments, current prescriptions and the agreed next steps. Clarify which documents can be provided in Arabic or English and how any translation is organised. Request a secure transfer route rather than forwarding sensitive clinical details through an unsuitable contact form. Family involvement should follow the person’s consent and the agreed clinical plan.
Check cross-border follow-up before returning
Ask whether the proposed clinician can provide appointments while you are in your home country, the available format and which services need a locally authorised professional. Do not assume an overseas prescription or a remote appointment is sufficient for every local requirement. Confirm medication and entry requirements with the relevant official authorities for the exact itinerary and individual circumstances.
Put everyday support into the agreed plan
Discuss the return to work, family routines, appointments, privacy and responsibilities with the treating team. Identify the agreed response if needs change or the plan is not working. Practical arrangements should support the clinical recommendations rather than replace them. For immediate medical or psychiatric help, use local emergency services rather than waiting for a response from an overseas provider.
Confirm what follow-up costs and includes
Request the duration, frequency, format and price of follow-up in writing. Clarify whether family sessions, coordination with local clinicians and additional assessments are included. COGNIFUL describes continuing-care planning as part of treatment, with the scope and cost of follow-up agreed individually. Compare the specific written offer from each provider; the same word, aftercare, can describe different commitments.