Date of Award
12-2022
Document Type
Master Thesis
Degree Name
Masters of Science (Research)
Department
Nursing and Healthcare Sciences
First Advisor
Dr Dawn Farrell
Second Advisor
Dr Anna-Marie Greaney
Abstract
Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) can be a very debilitating disease and it is found to be more extensive in children with rapid early progression (Van Limbergen et al., 2008). As adolescents, these children transition from paediatric to adult oriented care. The first adult care visits are a pivotal phase of a successful transition process, where adolescents potentially begin to actively take control of their disease. The aim of this study is to explore the inhibitors and facilitators to first adult care visits in the transition process from paediatric to adult oriented IBD healthcare.
Methods: An exploratory, descriptive, qualitative approach was employed, underpinned by a transition theory (Meleis, 2010). A purposive sample of seven participants (over 16 years of age) diagnosed with IBD, who transitioned in the last four years, were recruited, through two clinical sites in Ireland, and a support organisation. Online semi-structured interviews were conducted via Microsoft Teams and data were analysed using content analysis.
Results: The 3 main themes identified are the Perception Of Transition, Knowledge And Preparation and Being An Adolescent With IBD. The themes illuminate various inhibitors and facilitators to the first adult care visits. The ‘Perception Of Transition’ theme explores the positive and negative perception the adolescents may develop. Joint visits and the adult healthcare teams actively engaging with the adolescent were perceived as facilitators. Inhibitors included a lack of continuity between transition experiences, lack of effective follow up and the change in language from paediatric to adult care. The theme Knowledge And Preparation’ revealed facilitators including more than one joint visit with the adult healthcare team, actively encouraging patients to meet healthcare teams without parents, and the healthcare providers and parents encouraging independence. Inhibitors include lack of emphasise on education around disease and self-management, and parents taking control of disease management. The third theme ‘Being An Adolescent with IBD’ found a need for more emphasis on topics such as sexual health, smoking and alcohol, availability of IBD psychologists and the use of relevant IBD supports were seen as facilitators, while the absence of these initiatives were an inhibitor.
Conclusion: Facilitators and inhibitors to first adult care visits in the transition from paediatric to adult orientated IBD healthcare have been outlined with the thematic structure. Identifying these inhibitors and facilitators provide insights for healthcare professional in supporting a successful transition process and highlights the need for effective transition policies.
Recommended Citation
Rea, Joanna, "Facilitators and Inhibitors to First Adult Care Visits in the Transition from Paediatric to Adult Orientated Inflammatory Bowel Disease Healthcare" (2022). Theses [online].
Available at: https://sword.cit.ie/allthe/827
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Access Level
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
