Young Adults' Experiences and Satisfaction With the Transfer of Care

• Published in: Journal of adolescent health 2014-12, Vol.55 (6), p.796-803
• Main Authors: van Staa, AnneLoes, R.N., M.D., M.A., Ph.D, Sattoe, Jane N.T., M.Sc
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescence; Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Chronic Disease; Chronic illness; Cohort Studies; Cohort study; Continuity of Patient Care - statistics & numerical data; Female; Health care services; Health care survey; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Patient Satisfaction - statistics & numerical data; Pediatrics; Prevention and actions; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Quality of Life; Satisfaction; Specific populations (family, woman, child, elderly...); Surveys and Questionnaires; Transfer; Transition; Young Adult; Young adults
• ISSN: 1054-139X; 1879-1972
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2014.06.008

Abstract Purpose Transition of care of adolescents with chronic conditions is a critical area for clinicians. Patient-reported outcomes may provide important information on the quality of services. This cohort study examines young adults' experiences and satisfaction with the transfer to adult care and explores associations with patient characteristics. Methods Follow-up of 518 young adults (18–25 years) with various chronic conditions who completed a Web-based survey in 2006 (response rate, 52%). Outcome measures were the 18-item On Your Own Feet Transfer Experiences Scale (α = .93) and satisfaction with the transfer process (visual analog scale). Associations with demographic and health care–related variables, health-related quality of life, and self-management were explored with stepwise multivariate modeling, using past (2006–T0) and current (2012–T1) variables. Results Of the respondents, 315 (65%) had transferred, while 10% was still in pediatric care and 25% was not in treatment anymore. Twenty percent rated their transfer as unsatisfactory, 50% felt prepared at the time of transfer, and 24% had met their adult-centered provider in advance. Men were more positive about their experiences and rated satisfaction higher than did women. Patient-centeredness of the adult health-care provider was the most important determinant for experiences (β = .29). Higher self-efficacy at T1 was associated with more positive experiences but not with higher satisfaction. The latter was higher for those transferred within the same hospital (β = .28). Conclusions The On Your Own Feet Transfer Experiences Scale is a useful instrument to measure transfer experiences. The importance young adults attach to good relations with their new provider stresses the necessity of early involvement of and good collaboration with adult care.