Growing Up Healthy: A Study on Young Adults and their Readiness to Transition to Independent Healthcare

Healthcare is a lifelong journey that involves changes, decision making, and awareness of health needs and concerns. As children grow up and age out of the pediatric system, transitioning occurs. Healthcare transitioning (HCT) is a process that assists individuals with the different stages of their health journey. Transition readiness is derived from the concept of health care transitioning, which is generally defined as “the process of shifting from pediatric to adultfocused care” (Kelemen et al., 2014, p. 1062). A more in-depth definition describes health care transitioning as the “process of purposeful, planned movement of adolescents with chronic medical conditions from child to adult-centered healthcare systems” (Ho et al., 2014 as cited in Blum et al., 1993). For young adults, healthcare transitioning becomes an increasingly important concept as individuals are emerging into their adult lives with different skill sets, understandings, and capabilities. Physicians describe a successful transition from childhood healthcare to independent healthcare as a well-timed transition that prepares an adult to optimize their ability to manage their health, adult roles, and general functioning (American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians and American College of PhysiciansAmerican Society of Internal Medicine, 2002). The skills and abilities that are considered valuable can change as health education differs based on the age of the individual, such as abilities to voice needs, follow direction, and communicate with parents and providers