Young adults as users of adult healthcare: experiences of young adults with complex or life-limiting conditions

Abstract

Awareness is growing that young adults may have distinctive experiences of adult healthcare and that their needs may differ from those of other adult users. In addition, the role of adult health teams in supporting positive transitions from paediatrics is increasingly under discussion. This paper contributes to these debates. It reports a qualitative study of the experiences of young adults -all with complex chronic health conditions -as users of adult health services. Key fi ndings from the study are reported, including an exploration of factors that help to explain interviewees' experiences. Study fi ndings are discussed in the context of existing evidence from young adults in adult healthcare settings and theories of 'young adulthood'. Implications for training and practice are considered, and priorities for future research are identifi ed.

Exploring effectiveness and effective components of self-management interventions for young people with chronic physical conditions: A systematic review

“…The age of seven years is considered a developmentally appropriate age to start the development of independence [17]. As young adults are still developing their full potential, the age range was extended from 18 to 25 years [18,19].…”

“…These interventions are developed for young people aged between 7 and 25 years. The age of seven years is considered as a developmentally appropriate age to start the development of independence and young adults are still developing their full potential [17,18,19]. Self-management interventions have been reviewed in some studies [20,21], but solid evidence on effectiveness of self-management interventions (SMI) for young people with chronic conditions in general, i.e.…”

Clinical and Psychosocial Outcomes of a Structured Transition Program Among Young Adults With Type 1 Diabetes

“…LC participants were recruited from local community health centers, emergency departments, referrals of former patients by pediatric providers, and referrals of friends and acquaintances by enrolled participants (snowball sampling). Eligibility criteria for all participants included the following: (1) age 19–25 at time of study enrollment; (2) diagnosis of type 1 diabetes according to ADA criteria for at least 2 years; and (3) participant not pregnant at time of study enrollment or planning pregnancy within the next 12 months. Additional eligibility criteria for LC participants included either: (1) having no identified adult diabetes care provider and no routine diabetes care visits in the past 3 months; or (2) having been discharged from pediatric care without an identified adult diabetes care provider.…”

“…(1) As a result, many young adults experience a loss to follow-up when they transfer from pediatric to adult care. (2) Among youth with type 1 diabetes, 34% have gaps in care of greater than 6 months during this transition (3), and clinic attendance typically decreases following the transition to adult care. (4) The strongest predictors of such lapses in care are the lack of a referral to a specific adult provider (including name and contact information), competing life priorities, and insurance problems (5).…”

“…Conversely, young adults who report feeling mostly, or completely, prepared for transition have a lower likelihood of experiencing a gap in care of greater than 6 months. (3) In addition to poor clinic attendance, health and psychosocial well-being often decline during this life stage, with only 14% of young adults meeting recommended targets for glycemic control (6), fewer than 1/3 meeting diabetes self-care recommendations (7), and many experiencing poor psychosocial well-being (8). These issues, coupled with poor clinical follow-up, significantly increase young adults’ risk of developing diabetes-related complications.…”