Stakeholders' Perspectives on Caregiver Outcomes for Health Care Transition for Adolescents and Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs: A Qualitative Study

BackgroundPrevious literature has explored parent/caregiver perspectives and satisfaction with the health care transition (HCT) process for their adolescents and young adults with special health care needs (AYASHCN). Limited research has explored the opinion of health care providers and researchers on parent/caregiver outcomes associated with a successful HCT for AYASHCN. MethodsA web-based survey was distributed through the international and interdisciplinary Health Care Transition Research Consortium listserv, which at the time of the survey was composed of 148 providers dedicated to optimizing the HCT of AYAHSCN. Participants responded to the open-ended question, 'What parent/caregiver-related outcome(s) would represent a successful healthcare transition?' Respondents included 109 providers (52 health care professionals, 38 social service professionals and 19 other). Responses were coded for emergent themes, and research suggestions were identified. ResultsQualitative analyses identified two major themes: emotion- and behaviour-based outcomes. Emotion-based subthemes included relinquishing control of child's health management (n = 50, 45.9%) as well as parental satisfaction and confidence in their child's care and HCT (n = 42, 38.5%). Respondents also noted that parents/caregivers should experience an improved sense of well-being and decreased stress (n = 9, 8.2%) due to a successful HCT. Behaviour-based outcomes included early preparation and planning for HCT (n = 12, 11.0%) and parental instruction on the knowledge and skills necessary for their adolescent to independently manage their health (n = 10, 9.1%). ConclusionsHealth care providers can assist parents/caregivers in learning strategies for instructing their AYASHCN about condition-related knowledge and skills as well as provide support for 'letting go' of the caregiver role during the HCT to adult-focused health services and adulthood. Communication between the AYASCH, their parents/caregivers and paediatric- and adult-focused providers needs to be consistent and comprehensive to ensure continuity of care and a successful HCT. We also offered strategies to address the outcomes suggested by the participants of this study.