Healthcare transition readiness of families of youth with cystic fibrosis during COVID-19: A correlational multicenter analysis

• DOI: 10.17615/hp1g-zq41
• Publication Date: 2024-01-01
• Authors: Goralski, Jennife...; Díaz-González de ...; Girdwood, Tyra C.; Lynn, Mary R.; Kainz, Kirsten; Nasr, Samya Z.; Toles, Mark P.; Dellon, Elisabeth P.; Silva, Susan G.; Uluer, Ahmet
• Keywords: Healthcare Transition Readiness; Adolescents and Young Adults; 03 medical and health sciences; Mental Health; 0302 clinical medicine; Cystic Fibrosis; Resilience; Special Section on Health Care Transition for Adolescents and Young Adults with Mental Health Condition; R; COVID-19; Medicine

Background Enhancing family readiness for the healthcare transition (HCT) to adult-focused care can help adolescents and young adults (AYA) thrive in adulthood. We aimed to explore modifiable and non-modifiable individual, family, and healthcare factors associated with HCT readiness of AYA among families of AYA with cystic fibrosis (CF) during COVID-19. Methods A multi-site, cross-sectional design was used and an online survey was deployed among families and their AYA from three US pediatric CF centers. The STARx Transition Readiness Questionnaire assessed caregiver- and AYA-perceived HCT readiness of AYA. Results Caregivers (N = 71) and their AYA with CF (N = 33, aged 12–21 years) perceived moderately high HCT readiness of AYA. Caregiver resilience was a significant (p = 0.006), family-level factor correlated with caregiver-perceived HCT readiness. Conclusions Families perceived similar levels of AYA readiness for adult-focused care. Caregiver resilience is an important, modifiable family-level factor for targeted interdisciplinary interventions aimed at enhancing HCT processes during COVID-19.