Adolescents with congenital heart disease - Parent’s perceptions and expectations about transition and transfer to adult care

• Background: People with congenital heart disease (CHD) might need life-long medical follow-up and transfer to adult care (ACHD). An optimal transition process involves collaboration where parents and other family members are integrated, along with the patient and healthcare providers. The active role might be difficult for parents. Aim: Explore parent’s perceptions and expectations about transition and transfer to adult care. Method: Semi-structured interviews with 18 parents to adolescents with CHD, 14-18 years of age, were conducted in four pediatric cardiology settings in Sweden. Results: Three different categories were formulated: Need of knowledge; information addressed to the adolescent regarding the CHD, coming treatment and late-effects, but also general information about the ACHD-organization and future follow-up was emphasized. Other important aspects were smoking, alcohol, contraceptives, sex and pregnancy. Information given in a group and face-to face information was preferred included a visit to ACHD-outpatient clinic before transfer. Mixed feelings; the parents knew that transfer was a natural step, but were concerned and worried due to lack of knowledge about the process and new caregivers. Being involved made them feel secure. Timing; the parents expressed concerns over when and how the process should start. The majority considered the age of 11-12 year too early, while 15-16 years were considered more appropriate to start the transition process, depending of the adolescent’s maturity. Most parents had started handing over the responsibility for the medical treatment, but none the contact with the health care providers. Conclusion: The parents’ plea for involvement in the transition planning, being aware of the shift in roles and gradually giving the responsibility to the adolescent. One important aspect was to inform about the new caregiver and future follow-up. Parents considered disease specific information given by the nurse or physician as optimal using different learning methods.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

transition

transfer

adolescents

parents

congenital heart disease

Publikations- och innehållstyp

vet (ämneskategori)

kon (ämneskategori)