Brief report: Preliminary findings from a pilot health care transition education intervention for adolescents and young adults with special health care needs

Abstract

Objective: To assess acceptability and feasibility of a school-based health care transition education intervention designed to equip adolescents and young adults (A/YA) who have special health care needs with important health literacy, self-advocacy, and self-determination skills.

Methods: A qualitative research approach was used to assess a 40-hr curriculum implemented with 137 A/YA in 13 high school special education classes. Three focus groups were conducted with 15 students and 7 educators. Participants were questioned about perceived relevance, readability, interest, ease of implementation and completeness of the curriculum.

Results: All focus group participants said the curriculum was highly relevant and valuable. Teachers reported little difficulty with ease of implementation, though the reading level appeared high for some students.

Conclusions: This intervention model shows promise for empowering A/YA with special health care needs to become more independent in managing their health care, and warrants further development and evaluation. The curriculum is available at http://health.usf.edu/medicine/pediatrics/ad_med/resources.htm.