Transitional care for young people with long term conditions
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Transitional care for young people with long term conditions
IRAS ID
190557
Contact name
Matthew Peak
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 6 months, 31 days
Research summary
Transition from child-centred health services to adult services is acknowledged to be a challenging period of time for young people with long-term conditions. The responsibilities of young people in managing their own conditions increases within the context of adult services, and despite the increased need for support during this sensitive period, transition is often a disorienting and fragmented process. \n\nRecently there has been national and international recognition of the need to prioritise the development and implementation of good models of transitional care, in order to foster optimum outcomes for young people with long term conditions in terms of their health and well-being, and their educational, employment, and life opportunities. However, evaluating what successful transition looks like is difficult in the absence of consensus as to which outcome domains are most critical to measure. \n\nUsing semi-structured interviews and focus groups, this study will seek to explore transition experiences, and to identify the domains that are important to successful transition from the point of view of a range of stakeholders in the transitional care process (young people, their parents, health care professionals, commissioners). It is envisioned that the outcomes most valued by stakeholders will inform the development of a set of core outcome measures for evaluating transition interventions (e.g, transition passport), and for recognising successful transition, and improving care services. Whilst this study will focus specifically on young people with epilepsy and juvenile idiopathic arthritis as exemplars of long term conditions, it is envisioned that the outputs of the study will have general utility across health specialities. \n\nInterviews and focus groups will be guided by a topic guide, before being transcribed and analysed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Data collection and storage will comply with relevant data protection requirements and guidelines.
REC name
North West - Liverpool Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0935
Date of REC Opinion
25 Nov 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion