. 2024 Nov 30:3:100088.

doi: 10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100088. eCollection 2025.

Transition experiences of adolescents and young adults working with a patient navigator

Daniella San Martin-Feeney¹, Sophie Samborn², Brooke Allemang^{3

4

5}, Megan Patton², Zoya Punjwani^{2

6}, Ken Pfister², Laurel Ryan², Gregory M T Guilcher⁷, Lorraine Hamiwka², Scott Klarenbach⁸, Eddy Lang⁹, Kerry McBrien^{6

10}, Alberto Nettel-Aguirre^{2

11}, Danièle Pacaud^{2

12}, Jorge Pinzon², Shannon D Scott¹³, Lonnie Zwaigenbaum¹, Curtis Perrott¹⁴, John Andersen^{1

14}, Gail Andrew¹, Andrew S Mackie^{1

15}, Susan Samuel^{2

6

12}, Gina Dimitropoulos^{12

16

17}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
² Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
³ Office of Patient, Family, and Community Engagement, Hospital for Sick Children, Calgary, Canada.
⁴ Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Calgary, Canada.
⁵ Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Canada.
⁶ Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
⁷ Section of Pediatric Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplant, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada.
⁸ Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
⁹ Department of Emergency Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
¹⁰ Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
¹¹ Faculty of Engineering and Information Services, University of Wollongong, Australia.
¹² Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Canada.
¹³ Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
¹⁴ Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Canada.
¹⁵ Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Canada.
¹⁶ Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
¹⁷ Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Calgary, Canada.

PMID: 39712475
PMCID: PMC11658225
DOI: 10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100088

Transition experiences of adolescents and young adults working with a patient navigator

Daniella San Martin-Feeney et al. Health Care Transit. 2024.

. 2024 Nov 30:3:100088.

doi: 10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100088. eCollection 2025.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
² Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
³ Office of Patient, Family, and Community Engagement, Hospital for Sick Children, Calgary, Canada.
⁴ Child Health Evaluative Sciences, SickKids Research Institute, Calgary, Canada.
⁵ Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, Canada.
⁶ Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
⁷ Section of Pediatric Oncology and Blood and Marrow Transplant, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada.
⁸ Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
⁹ Department of Emergency Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
¹⁰ Department of Family Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
¹¹ Faculty of Engineering and Information Services, University of Wollongong, Australia.
¹² Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, Canada.
¹³ Faculty of Nursing, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
¹⁴ Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, Canada.
¹⁵ Stollery Children's Hospital, Edmonton, Canada.
¹⁶ Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.
¹⁷ Mathison Centre for Mental Health Research and Education, Calgary, Canada.

PMID: 39712475
PMCID: PMC11658225
DOI: 10.1016/j.hctj.2024.100088

Abstract

Introduction: The transition from pediatric to adult care poses challenges for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with chronic conditions and their caregivers. A patient navigator (PN) intervention may mitigate transition-related barriers.

Methods: A qualitative study was conducted within a pragmatic randomized controlled trial. A purposive sample was recruited of AYA with diverse diagnostic and demographic characteristics who worked with the PN and/or their caregivers. Seventeen participants completed semi-structured interviews at baseline and post-intervention and optional journal entries. Thematic analysis was used inductively.

Results: Analysis yielded two themes from baseline interviews: 1) uncertainty and hesitation with leaving a place of support, 2) navigator assistance with post-secondary education, and three themes from post-intervention interviews: 1) emotional support, 2) informational and task-focused support, 3) navigator guidance to become more independent.

Discussion: Our findings describe the needs of AYA and the experience of PN support; our findings may guide future implementation of PNs in transition care.

Keywords: Adolescent health; Transition; Transition to adult care.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Figures

**Fig. 3**
: Comparison of Baseline and Post-Intervention Themes.

See this image and copyright information in PMC

Cited by

Exploring Patient Understandings of Navigation Services Within Alberta's Healthcare System: A Qualitative Study.
Rabi S, Santana M, Dimitropoulos G, McBrien K, Benterud E, Wigston L, Tang K. Rabi S, et al. Health Expect. 2025 Aug;28(4):e70383. doi: 10.1111/hex.70383. Health Expect. 2025. PMID: 40790913 Free PMC article.

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Transition experiences of adolescents and young adults working with a patient navigator

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Transition experiences of adolescents and young adults working with a patient navigator

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