Readiness of independency in health care management for young adults with cerebral palsy

Abstract

Transition from paediatric to adult health care services is a crucial process for young adults with long-term medical conditions and well organized and coordinated transition process has been strongly highlighted. The aims of this research were to assess the young adults with cerebral palsy overall readiness for adult life, the independency in health care management and independency impacting factors. Eighty young adults (age range 16–21 years) with CP and normal or slightly decreased mental function participated. There were done “face-to-face” structured interviews using the Rotterdam Transition Profile and the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire also the characteristics of participants were obtained. It was revealed that young adults with cerebral palsy show low levels of participation in almost all domains of transition to adult life, the level of attendance of rehabilitation services is not sufficient, and the level of independency for young adults with CP in health care management is between phases of preparation and action. The most impacting factor for independency in health care management was found to be the cognitive status.

Keywords

• cerebral palsy
• transition age
• health care
• young adult