Grant: Fellowship: POR Awards - Transition to Leadership Stream - Phase 1

Transition from the pediatric to the adult health care system is challenging for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with chronic health conditions. AYA often feel inadequately prepared to manage their own health when they transfer into the adult system and are at risk of poor health outcomes. AYA with chronic health conditions are 2-3 times more likely to have mental health disorders than their healthy peers. The presence of mental health disorders in AYA with chronic conditions results in increased hospital admissions, decreased medication adherence, higher morbidity and higher health care costs. In addition, AYA with co-occurring issues (i.e. physical and mental health) may be exiting multiple pediatric services simultaneously, further complicating the transfer of care. Transition readiness, defined as AYA knowledge and self-management skills, contributes to successful health care transition. Transition readiness has not been explored for AYA with co-occurring health and mental health issues. The purpose of this patient-oriented, mixed methods study is to examine the transition readiness and transition experiences of 17-18 year olds with co-occurring chronic health and mental health issues exiting pediatric services in Alberta. First, Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) scores will be compared among those with chronic health conditions, with and without mental health comorbidity. Next, interviews will be conducted with 10-15 AYA with co-occurring health and mental health issues to explore their experiences preparing for transition to adult services and analyzed using qualitative description. Integration will occur following analysis of the quantitative and qualitative data to allow for a deeper understanding of the transition needs of this group. Results of this study will inform the refinement of transition readiness practices in order to improve patient care for AYA with co-occurring health and mental health issues in Alberta.