A Systematic Review of Transition Readiness in Youth with Chronic Disease.
Maureen Varty, Lori L Popejoy
PMID 31530231WHAT IT FOUND
Self-efficacy and taking responsibility for disease management are the most consistent factors linked to better transition readiness in youth with chronic conditions.
Age and female gender also correlate with readiness, but the evidence rests on cross-sectional surveys that cannot prove these factors cause better outcomes.
Key findings
01Self-efficacy was positively associated with transition readiness in nine out of ten studies across various chronic diseases.
02Adolescents and young adults who perceived greater responsibility for their own disease self-management showed higher levels of transition readiness.
03Increasing age was positively related to transition readiness in 19 of the 26 studies that assessed it.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The vast majority of included studies (32 of 33) were cross-sectional, meaning they can show association but cannot prove that any factor causes better transition readiness. Transition readiness was assessed entirely by self-report, which may be inaccurate. Most studies used disease-neutral measurement tools rather than tools specific to the patient's condition. Many factors were studied in only one study or within a single disease population, limiting generalizability. The studies were often small, single-institution samples lacking power analysis.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the associations found in this review as evidence that specific interventions work. The studies were cross-sectional and relied on self-report, so they identify correlates of transition readiness but do not demonstrate that changing these factors will improve patient outcomes.