Work

Transition Needs of Adolescents With Sickle Cell Disease

Year: 2015

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This article describes how adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) perceive their ability to perform everyday tasks required for transition to adult health care and independent living. METHOD: The Adolescent Autonomy Checklist (AAC) was adapted to include skills associated with managing SCD (AAC-SCD) and was administered to adolescents during clinic visits. Participants indicated "can do already" or "needs practice" for 100 activities in 12 categories. RESULTS: Of 122 patients, the percentage of adolescents who needed practice was greatest in living arrangements (38.7%), money management (35.8%), vocational skills (29.6%), and health care skills (25.5%). We found a significant effect of age and of cerebrovascular injury on the percentage of those who reported "needs practice" in multiple categories. We found no effect of gender and limited effect of hemoglobin phenotype on any skill category. CONCLUSION: Findings support the need for educational intervention to improve transition skills in adolescents with SCD.

Source: American Journal of Occupational Therapy

DOI: 10.5014/ajot.2015.013730

Authors: Regina A. Abel, Esther Cho, Kelley R. Chadwick-Mansker, Natalia D’Souza, Ashley J. Housten, Allison A. King

Institutions: Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis Children's Hospital, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation

Language: English

Topic: Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare

Subfield: Speech and Hearing

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: U.S. Public Health Service