Education, enjoyment, and empowerment: Outcomes of an adolescent transplant camp (I own it)

Abstract

Peer group camping experiences have a positive influence on adolescents with chronic illnesses, but the data in solid organ transplant recipients are lacking. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of adolescent transplant attendees of an educational camp. A weekend camp, "I own it" was organized which provided educational training regarding career and health choices, money matters, and managing medications following which a knowledge assessment was performed. The ACLSA questionnaire was also administered. To test the adolescents' medication knowledge, they were asked to provide written documentation of their medications, which was compared with their medical records. In the ACLSA questionnaire, 32% reported deficiency in work/study, 46% in housing/money management, and 3% in the remaining categories. A significant improvement in knowledge was noted in areas of career choices, money matters, and managing medications, but not in healthy choices. In the medication recall, 75% did not know their medication list, and 92% could not recall dosages or frequencies. In conclusion, adolescents showed quantitative improvements in certain areas while identifying deficiencies in others, areas which were targeted in future initiatives. Prospective longitudinal studies addressing the impact of camps on post-transplant outcomes should be conducted to better alter the course post-transplant.

Education and Psychosocial Factors Predict Odds of Death After Transfer to Adult health Care in Pediatric Liver Transplant Patients

“…Formal transition processes with individualized patient education about their medical care which is tailored to a child’s cognitive abilities may be able to address treatment‐related concerns better than one‐size‐fits‐all methods. This is something providers, patients, and parents recognize as invaluable to effective treatment of the teenagers prior to transfer (4,14,15).…”

Adult provider role in transition of care for young adult pediatric recipients of liver transplant: An expert position statement

“…Education plays a vital role in empowering all stakeholders, including the patient, family, primary caretaker, and the pediatric medical team, to gradually relinquish these responsibilities and enable the YA to assume charge of their own care. The caretaker should remain involved and serve as an additional level of support when necessary 42 …”

“…The caretaker should remain involved and serve as an additional level of support when necessary. [42] Best practice recommendations and summary…”