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Young people with chronic health conditions: Using Q methodology to determine preferences for the transition from paediatric to adult health services

Lookup NU author(s): Jenni Hislop, Dr Helen Mason, Professor Jeremy Parr, Dr Mark Deverill

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Abstract

Patients with chronic health conditions are likely to use health services regularly throughout their lives. For patients with chronic conditions diagnosed in childhood, making the transition from attending paediatric health services to adult health services as they get older can be difficult. Policy-makers seek ways to improve the way this transition occurs, to ensure that the process is well-organised and appropriate to each young person’s needs. Creating suitable transition processes requires an understanding of young people’s preferences for transition. However, few studies have examined these preferences or how they vary depending on each individual’s circumstances; the potential for Q-methodology in this area is only beginning to be realised.[1] [2] Q-methodology could not only enable a detailed examination of the subjectivity surrounding these issues that is itself useful to clinicians and policy-makers, it could potentially inform the development stages of further quantitative methods of preference elicitation among larger population samples. This study used Q-methodology among young people with chronic health conditions in the north-east of England, who were either to soon transition from paediatric to adult local NHS services or had recently done so. Statements for the Q-set were developed using a review of the existing qualitative literature on transition, to identify quotes from young people. Quotes were sorted thematically and merged where the same issue was covered multiple times. A set of draft statements was compiled this way and then reviewed by a group of volunteer young people to check relevance and language used. Revised statements were then circulated to experts to ensure all relevant issues had been covered. Pilot Q-sorts were undertaken to finalise development before commencing further recruitment. Results of the full Q-sort will be presented alongside a discussion of pertinent issues for conducting Q-methodology among this population group. [1] A van Staa “On Your Own Feet: Preferences and competencies for care of adolescents with chronic conditions” 2012, Dissertation Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands. [2] Jedeloo et al “Preferences for health care and self-management among Dutch adolescents with chronic conditions: A Q-methodological investigation” International Journal of Nursing Studies 2010;47;593-603


Publication metadata

Author(s): Hislop J, Mason H, Parr J, Deverill M

Publication type: Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstract)

Publication status: Published

Conference Name: 29th Annual Conference of the International Society for the Scientific Study of Subjectivity

Year of Conference: 2013

URL: http://qmethod.org/qconference/current/information

Notes: This abstract presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) under the Programme Grants for Applied Research programme: RP-PG-0610-10112. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health.


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