Understanding young persons' experiences through healthcare transition. A qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine
• Chronic Disease Management
• Healthcare Transition Research

Background:

• Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with chronic conditions face care disruptions during the transition from pediatric to adult healthcare settings, affecting up to 40% of this population.
• Current interventions often focus on complex, disease-specific conditions and pre-transfer strategies, leaving a gap in understanding the needs of AYAs with milder chronic conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the healthcare transition experiences of AYAs with mild chronic conditions (asthma, type 1 diabetes, obesity) across different transition stages.
• To identify key factors influencing successful healthcare transition from the perspective of AYAs.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews and photovoice with 18 AYAs aged 15-21 undergoing or having undergone healthcare transition.
• Thematic analysis of interview and photograph data using NVivo software to identify recurring themes.

Main Results:

• Transition is an individual process, with five key themes identified: setting expectations, the desire for a voice in the transition process, the critical role of trust, and the importance of a robust support system.
• Photovoice effectively captured AYAs' lived experiences, complementing interview data.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare transition experiences are common across various chronic conditions, emphasizing the need for continuity of care.
• AYAs advocate for individualized transition programs that are tailored to their specific needs, moving away from a one-size-fits-all approach.