Youth and caregiver perspectives of barriers and facilitators to the transition from pediatric to adult care: A qualitative descriptive study (Preprint)

Abstract

Background: The transition from pediatric to adult care can be complex for youth and their caregivers. The transition emphasizes personal responsibility for health care management, which can be challenging for youth and caregivers to navigate. Exploring barriers and facilitators is critical to inform the design and implementation of evidence-based interventions to improve the pediatric to adult transition of care. As such, the purpose of this study was to explore the transition of care from the perspective of youth and their caregivers.

Methods: We used a qualitative descriptive design guided by the COM-B Model of Behaviour to conduct semi-structured interviews. The COM-B model was used first for directed content analysis, then data were further examined using inductive thematic analysis to identify barriers and facilitators.

Results: Eighteen youths and caregivers participated in this study. The findings highlight barriers and facilitators to the transition in care from the pediatric to the adult system from the perspective of both youth and caregivers.

Conclusion: Using the COM-B Model of Behaviour, we identified key barriers and facilitators that intersect to influence the transition of care. Findings will be instrumental in informing and adapting initiatives and interventions in to improve the transition from pediatric to adult care.