RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Young adults as users of adult healthcare: experiences of young adults with complex or life-limiting conditions
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 404
OP 408
DO 10.7861/clinmedicine.14-4-404
VO 14
IS 4
A1 B Beresford
A1 L Stuttard
YR 2014
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/14/4/404.abstract
AB Awareness is growing that young adults may have distinctive experiences of adult healthcare and that their needs may differ from those of other adult users. In addition, the role of adult health teams in supporting positive transitions from paediatrics is increasingly under discussion. This paper contributes to these debates. It reports a qualitative study of the experiences of young adults – all with complex chronic health conditions — as users of adult health services. Key findings from the study are reported, including an exploration of factors that help to explain interviewees’ experiences. Study findings are discussed in the context of existing evidence from young adults in adult healthcare settings and theories of ‘young adulthood’. Implications for training and practice are considered, and priorities for future research are identified.