Crossing the transition chasm: Experiences and recommendations for improving transitional care of young adults, parents and providers
Background: Transition from paediatric to adult healthcare has received little attention in the Netherlands. This study aimed to: (i) map experiences with the transfer to adult care of young adults with chronic conditions; and (ii) identify recommendations for transitional care of young adults, thei...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Journal Article |
| Published: |
2011
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| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6132 |
| _version_ | 1848744988842655744 |
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| author | van Staa, A. Jedeloo, S. van Meeteren, J. Latour, Jos |
| author_facet | van Staa, A. Jedeloo, S. van Meeteren, J. Latour, Jos |
| author_sort | van Staa, A. |
| building | Curtin Institutional Repository |
| collection | Online Access |
| description | Background: Transition from paediatric to adult healthcare has received little attention in the Netherlands. This study aimed to: (i) map experiences with the transfer to adult care of young adults with chronic conditions; and (ii) identify recommendations for transitional care of young adults, their parents and healthcare providers. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 24 young adults after transfer (aged 15–22 years; diagnosed with haemophilia, diabetes mellitus, spina bifida, congenital heart disorders, cystic fibrosis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or sickle cell disease), 24 parents and 17 healthcare providers. Thematic analysis was performed. Results: Only the haemophilia department offered a structured transition programme, most patients had not been prepared for transition. Experiences and views of patients, parents and professionals mainly overlapped and were condensed into four core themes. Two are related to moving to adult care: (1) ‘leaving paediatric care is a logical step’. Leaving familiar surroundings was harder for parents than for young adults who displayed a positive ‘wait-and-see’ attitude; and (2) ‘transition is complicated by cultural gaps between paediatric and adult services’. Young adults and parents felt lost after transfer and recommended their peers ‘to be alert and involved’. Providers also recognized the cultural chasm between both services and worried about non-compliance, lost to follow-up and lack of independence. Two other themes indicated priorities for improvement: (3) ‘better patient and parent preparation’ for differences between healthcare settings and for new roles and responsibilities with respect to self-management; and (4) ‘more collaboration and personal links’ between paediatric and adult care providers.Conclusions: Action is required to cross the chasm between paediatric and adult-oriented care. Preparation for transition should start early and focus on strengthening adolescents' independency without undermining parental involvement. Building bridges between services, gaining trust and investing in new personal relations is a challenge for all parties involved: transition is about responding and bonding. |
| first_indexed | 2025-11-14T06:10:13Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | curtin-20.500.11937-6132 |
| institution | Curtin University Malaysia |
| institution_category | Local University |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-14T06:10:13Z |
| publishDate | 2011 |
| recordtype | eprints |
| repository_type | Digital Repository |
| spelling | curtin-20.500.11937-61322017-09-13T14:42:16Z Crossing the transition chasm: Experiences and recommendations for improving transitional care of young adults, parents and providers van Staa, A. Jedeloo, S. van Meeteren, J. Latour, Jos Background: Transition from paediatric to adult healthcare has received little attention in the Netherlands. This study aimed to: (i) map experiences with the transfer to adult care of young adults with chronic conditions; and (ii) identify recommendations for transitional care of young adults, their parents and healthcare providers. Methods: Semi-structured interviews with 24 young adults after transfer (aged 15–22 years; diagnosed with haemophilia, diabetes mellitus, spina bifida, congenital heart disorders, cystic fibrosis, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or sickle cell disease), 24 parents and 17 healthcare providers. Thematic analysis was performed. Results: Only the haemophilia department offered a structured transition programme, most patients had not been prepared for transition. Experiences and views of patients, parents and professionals mainly overlapped and were condensed into four core themes. Two are related to moving to adult care: (1) ‘leaving paediatric care is a logical step’. Leaving familiar surroundings was harder for parents than for young adults who displayed a positive ‘wait-and-see’ attitude; and (2) ‘transition is complicated by cultural gaps between paediatric and adult services’. Young adults and parents felt lost after transfer and recommended their peers ‘to be alert and involved’. Providers also recognized the cultural chasm between both services and worried about non-compliance, lost to follow-up and lack of independence. Two other themes indicated priorities for improvement: (3) ‘better patient and parent preparation’ for differences between healthcare settings and for new roles and responsibilities with respect to self-management; and (4) ‘more collaboration and personal links’ between paediatric and adult care providers.Conclusions: Action is required to cross the chasm between paediatric and adult-oriented care. Preparation for transition should start early and focus on strengthening adolescents' independency without undermining parental involvement. Building bridges between services, gaining trust and investing in new personal relations is a challenge for all parties involved: transition is about responding and bonding. 2011 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6132 10.1111/j.1365-2214.2011.01261.x restricted |
| spellingShingle | van Staa, A. Jedeloo, S. van Meeteren, J. Latour, Jos Crossing the transition chasm: Experiences and recommendations for improving transitional care of young adults, parents and providers |
| title | Crossing the transition chasm: Experiences and recommendations for improving transitional care of young adults, parents and providers |
| title_full | Crossing the transition chasm: Experiences and recommendations for improving transitional care of young adults, parents and providers |
| title_fullStr | Crossing the transition chasm: Experiences and recommendations for improving transitional care of young adults, parents and providers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Crossing the transition chasm: Experiences and recommendations for improving transitional care of young adults, parents and providers |
| title_short | Crossing the transition chasm: Experiences and recommendations for improving transitional care of young adults, parents and providers |
| title_sort | crossing the transition chasm: experiences and recommendations for improving transitional care of young adults, parents and providers |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/6132 |