Youth and Caregiver Perspectives of Barriers and Facilitators to the Transition From Pediatric to Adult Care: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

Authors

  • Megan Gray IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7778-8017
  • Julia Kontak Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9104-0678
  • Amanda Higgins IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Jacklynn Pidduck IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Maddie Gallant Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Scott Anderson Maritime SPOR Support Unit, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Shauna Best IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Amy Grant Maritime SPOR Support Unit, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3605-0934
  • Elizabeth Jeffers Maritime SPOR Support Unit, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Sarah MacDonald IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Lindsay MacKinnon IWK Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Amy Mireault Maritime SPOR Support Unit, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Liam Rowe Maritime SPOR Support Unit, Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Ripu Daman Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Rose Walls Nova Scotia Health, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Emily Drake Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Janet Curran Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9977-0467
  • Christine Cassidy Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7770-5058

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15273/hpj.v5i3.12366

Keywords:

Behaviour Change, Tranisitions in Care, Pediatric, qualitative research

Abstract

Background: Transitions from pediatric to adult care can be a complex process for youth and their caregivers. Exploring barriers and facilitators to transitions from pediatric to adult care is critical to inform the design and implementation of evidence-based interventions to improve transition processes. Previous literature has focused on describing experiences with transition; however, determinants influencing transitions need further exploration. Objective: This study explored barriers and facilitators to the transition from pediatric to adult care from youth and caregiver perspectives to inform future intervention design, implementation, and evaluation to support transitions in care. Methods: This study used a qualitative descriptive design guided by the COM-B Model of Behaviour. Youth and caregivers of youth in Nova Scotia, Canada, were recruited for semi-structured interviews. Data analysis consisted of directed content analysis, followed by inductive thematic analysis to identify barriers and facilitators of transitioning from pediatric to adult care. Results: A total of nine youth and nine caregivers participated in the semi-structured interviews. We identified barriers and facilitators related to the COM-B Model of Behaviour’s components of capability, opportunity, and motivation. Main themes from both the youth and caregiver participants relate to developing health literacy for transition processes, shifting roles to increase youth independence, and the importance of health system coordination. Conclusion: This project identified intersecting behavioural and contextual determinants related to youth and caregivers’ capability, opportunity, and motivation that influence the transition of care process. These findings will be instrumental for designing and adapting interventions and policies to improve youth transitions from pediatric to adult care.

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Published

2025-12-25

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Vol. 5 No. 3 (2025): Healthy Populations Journal

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Megan Gray, Julia Kontak, Amanda Higgins, Jacklynn Pidduck, Maddie Gallant, Scott Anderson, Shauna Best, Amy Grant, Elizabeth Jeffers, Sarah MacDonald, Lindsay MacKinnon, Amy Mireault, Liam Rowe, Ripu Daman, Rose Walls, Emily Drake, Janet Curran, Christine Cassidy

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