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Skogby S, Goossens E, Johansson B, Moons P, Bratt EL. Which factors affect post-transfer gaps in follow-up care? A qualitative study of the insights of healthcare providers in Sweden and Belgium. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e079996. [PMID: 39153785 PMCID: PMC11331846 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-079996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Young people with congenital heart disease (CHD) are frequently affected by discontinued follow-up when transferring from paediatric to adult care. Identified predictors for discontinuation include mostly patient-related factors, and further knowledge of hospital and healthcare system factors is needed. AIM This study aims to explore patient-related, hospital-related and healthcare system-related factors affecting continued follow-up care after transfer, as perceived and experienced by paediatric cardiology and adult CHD (ACHD) healthcare providers (HCPs) in Sweden and Belgium. METHODS This descriptive qualitative study included individual interviews with cardiologists, nurses and administrative staff, subjected to qualitative content analysis. A total of 30 HCPs from 13 specialist care outpatient clinics at 8 different centres in Sweden and Belgium were interviewed. HCPs were included if they had direct contact with patients and had at least 1 year of work experience. FINDINGS The findings illuminate three main categories of factors perceived by HCPs to affect continued follow-up care after transfer, including 'care structure', 'care processes' and 'patient characteristics and circumstances'. Success was described as multifactorial, emphasising processes and structures of care, with a focus on collaboration, organisation, joint responsibility, resources, care relationships and transitional care interventions. Few differences appeared between paediatric and ACHD HCPs and between Swedish and Belgian HCPs. CONCLUSION HCPs perceived factors on patient, hospital and healthcare system levels to influence continued follow-up. Process-related and structure-related aspects of care were perceived as more influential than individual patient characteristics. Hence, future research on discontinued follow-up care should focus on process-related and structure-related aspects of care delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Skogby
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Children’s Heart Center, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden
| | - Eva Goossens
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Center for Research and Innovation in Care (CRIC), Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Bengt Johansson
- Department of Surgical and Perioperative Sciences, Umeå Universitet, Umea, Sweden
| | - Philip Moons
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ewa-Lena Bratt
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Goteborg, Sweden
- Region Västra Götaland, Children’s Heart Center, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Goteborg, Sweden
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Forsberg J, Lööf G, Burström Å. Young adults' perception of transition from paediatric to adult care. Acta Paediatr 2024; 113:1612-1620. [PMID: 38568009 DOI: 10.1111/apa.17231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
AIM Medical advancements will lead to more children with long-term illnesses and/or disabilities undergoing the transition to adult care. Previous studies show that many young adults are unprepared for this transition, and might suffer from loss of follow-up. This study aimed to investigate the post-transfer experiences of the transition among young adults with long-term illnesses and/or disabilities. METHODS A qualitative descriptive design was used. Three semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with 15 participants (18-25 years of age) recruited via patient organisations focusing on children and young adults with disabilities and/or long-term illnesses. The interviews were analysed with conventional content analysis. RESULTS One theme emerged: limbo, defined as an indefinite experience without knowing when or even if something would happen, or whether they would be overlooked. The theme rested on four categories: transition experiences, organisational aspects, influence on daily life, and self-management. CONCLUSION Areas for improvement were identified across the entire transition that is, in the preparation, transfer, and post-transfer stages. Our findings indicate a limited understanding among healthcare providers (HCPs) that the transition continues until the young adult has been fully integrated into adult care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gunilla Lööf
- Department of Learning, Informatics, Management and Ethics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Åsa Burström
- Department of Neurobiology, Care Science and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Cabrera Fernandez DL, Lopez KN, Bravo-Jaimes K, Mackie AS. The Impact of Social Determinants of Health on Transition From Pediatric to Adult Cardiology Care. Can J Cardiol 2024; 40:1043-1055. [PMID: 38583706 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjca.2024.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Social determinants of health (SDoH) are the economic, social, environmental, and psychosocial factors that influence health. Adolescents and young adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) require lifelong cardiology follow-up and therefore coordinated transition from pediatric to adult healthcare systems. However, gaps in care are common during transition, and they are driven in part by pervasive disparities in SDoH, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, access to insurance, and remote location of residence. These disparities often coexist and compound the challenges faced by patients and families. For example, Black and Indigenous individuals are more likely to be subject to systemic racism and implicit bias within healthcare and other settings, to be unemployed and poor, to have limited access to insurance, and to have a lower likelihood of transfer of care to adult CHD specialists. SDoH also are associated with acquired cardiovascular disease, a comorbidity that adults with CHD face. This review summarizes existing evidence regarding the impact of SDoH on the transition to adult care and proposes strategies at the individual, institutional, and population and/or system levels. to reduce inequities faced by transition-age youth. These strategies include routinely screening for SDoH in clinical settings with referral to appropriate services, providing formal transition education for all transition-age youth, including training on navigating complex medical systems, creating satellite cardiology clinics to facilitate access to care for those who live remote from tertiary centres, advocating for lifelong insurance coverage where applicable, mandating cultural-sensitivity training for providers, and increasing the diversity of healthcare providers in pediatric and adult CHD care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana L Cabrera Fernandez
- Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Keila N Lopez
- Section of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Katia Bravo-Jaimes
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Andrew S Mackie
- Division of Cardiology, Stollery Children's Hospital and Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Mackie AS, Bravo-Jaimes K, Keir M, Sillman C, Kovacs AH. Access to Specialized Care Across the Lifespan in Tetralogy of Fallot. CJC PEDIATRIC AND CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE 2023; 2:267-282. [PMID: 38161668 PMCID: PMC10755796 DOI: 10.1016/j.cjcpc.2023.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Individuals living with tetralogy of Fallot require lifelong specialized congenital heart disease care to monitor for and manage potential late complications. However, access to cardiology care remains a challenge for many patients, as does access to mental health services, dental care, obstetrical care, and other specialties required by this population. Inequities in health care access were highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to exist. Paradoxically, many social factors influence an individual's need for care, yet inadvertently restrict access to it. These include sex and gender, being a member of a racial or ethnic historically excluded group, lower educational attainment, lower socioeconomic status, living remotely from tertiary care centres, transportation difficulties, inadequate health insurance, occupational instability, and prior experiences with discrimination in the health care setting. These factors may coexist and have compounding effects. In addition, many patients believe that they are cured and unaware of the need for specialized follow-up. For these reasons, lapses in care are common, particularly around the time of transfer from paediatric to adult care. The lack of trained health care professionals for adults with congenital heart disease presents an additional barrier, even in higher income countries. This review summarizes challenges regarding access to multiple domains of specialized care for individuals with tetralogy of Fallot, with a focus on the impact of social determinants of health. Specific recommendations to improve access to care within Canadian and American systems are offered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew S. Mackie
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, Stollery Children’s Hospital, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Katia Bravo-Jaimes
- Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Michelle Keir
- Southern Alberta Adult Congenital Heart Clinic, Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Christina Sillman
- Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program, Sutter Heart and Vascular Institute, Sacramento, California, USA
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Andrews JG, Strah D, Downing KF, Kern MC, Oster ME, Seckeler MD, Goudie A, Nembhard WN, Farr SL, Klewer SE. Cardiology Care and Loss to Follow-Up Among Adults With Congenital Heart Defects in CH STRONG. Am J Cardiol 2023; 197:42-45. [PMID: 37148718 PMCID: PMC10236354 DOI: 10.1016/j.amjcard.2023.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Many of the estimated 1.4 million adults with congenital heart defects (CHDs) in the United States are lost to follow-up (LTF) despite recommendations for ongoing cardiology care. Using 2016 to 2019 CH STRONG (Congenital Heart Survey To Recognize Outcomes, Needs, and well-beinG) data, we describe cardiac care among community-based adults with CHD, born in 1980 to 1997, identified through state birth defects registries. Our estimates of LTF were standardized to the CH STRONG eligible population and likely more generalizable to adults with CHD than clinic-based data. Half of our sample were LTF and more than 45% had not received cardiology care in over 5 years. Of those who received care, only 1 in 3 saw an adult CHD physician at their last encounter. Not knowing they needed to see a cardiologist, being told they no longer needed cardiology care, and feeling "well" were the top reasons for LTF, and only half of respondents report doctors discussing the need for cardiac follow-up.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danielle Strah
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Karrie F Downing
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Matthew C Kern
- School of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
| | - Matthew E Oster
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia; Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | | | - Anthony Goudie
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Wendy N Nembhard
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas
| | - Sherry L Farr
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Scott E Klewer
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
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