The SWITCH² research program
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Self-management and Well-being Improvements by Transitioning adolescents with Chronic disorders in Hospital and at Home
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Epidemiological research revealed that 16% to 18% of all children are considered to have special needs because of chronic conditions. Whereas some decades ago, several disorders occurring in the pediatric patient population were lethal, to date, more than 90% of children with chronic medical conditions survive into adulthood. Hence, expert care should be provided over the lifetime continuum, when individuals are transitioning from childhood, over adolescence, to adulthood.
Professional organizations argued that a timely transfer from pediatrics to adult-centered care is imperative.
Transfer is
"an event or series of events through which adolescents and young adults with chronic physical and medical conditions move their care from a pediatric to an adult health care environment”
(Knauth et al., 2006)
Adolescents need to be prepared for this transfer by means of a transition process.
Transition is
“the process by which adolescents and young adults with chronic childhood illnesses are prepared to take charge of their lives and their health in adulthood. It is an educational process that ideally begins before children reach adolescence, and continues until they are capable of taking full responsibility of their care”
(Knauth et al., 2006)
Although the importance of transition and transfer is beyond dispute, the empirical evidence is rather limited. To fill this gap in the body of knowledge, we have established an integrated research program, called Switch² (Self-management and Well-being Improvements by Transitioning adolescents with Chronic disorders in Hospital and at Home). The Switch² research program consist of 2 distinct, but interrelated, research lines. One in adolescents with congenital heart disease; one in youngsters with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Each research line comprises several studies or research projects.
Overview of the SWITCH² research program
Self-management and Well-being Improvements by Transitioning adolescents with Chronic disorders in Hospital and at Home
