Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Embargo Period
4-30-2022
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Family Nurse Practioner
Year Degree Awarded
2022
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
adolescent, inflammatory bowel disease, care transition, pediatrics
Advisor
Karen Kalmakis, PhD, MPH, FNP-BC, FAANP
DNP Project Outside Member Name
Caitlin Dolan
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with severe disease in pediatric patients often requires treatment through adulthood. Collaborative efforts of patients, families, and health providers are needed to foster a smooth transition of care from pediatric to adult health care.
The purpose of this quality improvement project was to establish a baseline understanding of transition readiness among adolescents at one gastroenterology clinic to improve transition to adult care. A cross-sectional design was used to assess adolescents’ readiness for transition of care over a three-month period. Transitioning Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) was administered followed by individualized education on topics covered in the questionnaire. A post-survey was used to assess the changes in health beliefs following education. Thematic analysis, mean, and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. Twenty-seven adolescents ages 12 to18 participated in the project. Adolescents 17-18 years old had higher means within each of the five sections of the TRAQ compared to adolescents 14-16 years old and 12–13-year-olds. Adolescents reported that the changes in health beliefs after receiving the education motivated them to acquire new self-management skills and be more engaged in their health care. Noticeable variability in readiness to transition to adult care was evident between the three age groups. Successful transitions in health care are key to health and wellness among individuals with chronic conditions. This project was intended to improve long-term patient outcomes by facilitating behavioral change.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.
Included in
Gastroenterology Commons, Nursing Commons, Pediatrics Commons