Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4178-6161

Date Available

4-20-2022

Year of Publication

2022

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Leslie Scott

Clinical Mentor

Brittany Kurtz

Committee Member

Dr. Morgan Chojnacki

Committee Member

Dr. Cameron Stephenson

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Asthma is the most common pediatric chronic disease in the United States and adolescence represents the highest prevalence among all age groups. Transition planning is recommended for all adolescents, especially those with special health care needs (SHCN). Only 17% of adolescents with SHCN receive adequate transition planning.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to implement the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) for adolescents age 12 years and older with asthma to identify the current level of transition readiness and identify factors associated with readiness.

METHODS: This study was an exploratory, cross-sectional design to evaluate and describe participants’ level of transition readiness and identify factors associated with readiness. The TRAQ was used as a measure and a chart review was conducted to collect age, sex, race, duration of asthma diagnosis, and frequency of visits from all participants.

RESULTS: There were 34 participants, with an average age of 14.6 years and 51.5% were White. On average participants scored 3.14 on the TRAQ. There was a small to moderate, positive, and marginally significant association between overall TRAQ score and age. There was no association between overall TRAQ score and sex, race/ethnicity, and years since diagnosis. Frequency of visits did not contribute to study findings.

CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with asthma are not fully prepared to transition to adult healthcare. Transition readiness should be regularly assessed and interventions should be implemented to increase readiness. Further research is needed to identify other factors that are associated with readiness and evaluate interventions that aim to improve readiness.

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