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Transition from child to adult health services for young people with cerebral palsy in Ireland: a mixed-methods study
Jennifer M Ryan1, Jennifer Fortune2, Aisling Walsh2
1Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland jenniferryan@rcsi.ie.
Insights
Transitioning young people with cerebral palsy (CP) from child to adult services requires careful management. This study explores the Irish experience to improve health outcomes and quality of life during this critical period.
Area of Science:
- Health Services Research
- Pediatric to Adult Transition
- Cerebral Palsy Management
Background:
- The transition from pediatric to adult healthcare services presents significant challenges for young people with cerebral palsy (CP).
- Inadequate transition processes are linked to adverse health outcomes, including increased hospitalizations and diminished quality of life.
- While best practices for transition are documented internationally, there is a lack of data specific to the Irish context.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the experiences of young people with CP during their transition to adult health services in Ireland.
- To identify key factors influencing the transition process for this population.
- To inform the development of improved transition strategies within the Irish healthcare system.
Main Methods:
- A convergent parallel mixed-methods design integrating quantitative and qualitative data.
- Participants include young people (16-22 years) with CP, their parents/carers, and service providers.
- Data collection via questionnaires and interviews; quantitative analysis using descriptive statistics and regression models; qualitative analysis using the Framework Method.
Main Results:
- This section is to be populated upon study completion. The study anticipates presenting findings on the transition experiences of young people with CP in Ireland.
- Expected results will detail the effectiveness of current transition practices and identify areas for improvement.
- Analysis will explore associations between transition experiences, sociodemographic factors, CP-related characteristics, and service provider attributes.
Conclusions:
- This section is to be populated upon study completion. The study aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for optimizing the transition process for young people with CP in Ireland.
- Findings are expected to highlight specific challenges and facilitators in the Irish context.
- The research will contribute to enhancing the quality of life and health outcomes for young people with CP during their transition to adult care.
Introduction:
The transition from child to adult health services is a challenging and complex process for young people with cerebral palsy (CP). Poorly managed transition is associated with deterioration in health, increased hospitalisations and reduced quality of life. While international research identifies key practices that can improve the experience and outcomes of transition, there is a paucity of data in the Irish context. This research study aims to gain an insight into the experience of transition for young people with CP in Ireland.
Methods And Analysis:
A convergent parallel mixed-methods design will be used to collect, analyse and interpret quantitative and qualitative data. Participants will be young people aged 16-22 years with CP, their parent(s)/carer(s) and service providers. Quantitative and qualitative data will be collected through questionnaires and interviews, respectively. Quantitative data will be reported using descriptive statistics. Where sufficient data are collected, we will examine associations between the experience of transition practices and sociodemographic and CP-related factors, respectively, using appropriate regression models. Associations between service provider characteristics and provision of key transition practices may also be explored using appropriate regression models. Qualitative data will be analysed using the Framework Method. A coding matrix based on key transitional practices identified from the literature will be used to identify convergence and divergence across study components at the integration stage.
Ethics And Dissemination:
The study has been approved by the RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences Research Ethics Committee (REC201911010). Results will be presented to non-academic stakeholders through a variety of knowledge translation activities. Results will be published in open access, peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international scientific conferences.
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