Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects
Date of Degree
2013
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Program
Nursing
Advisor
Carol Roye
Committee Members
Vidette Todaro Franceschi
David Roye
William Ebenstein
Subject Categories
Nursing
Abstract
Background: Health Care Transition (HCT) describes the purposeful, planned movement of adolescents from child to adult-orientated care. The purpose of this phenomenological study is to uncover the meaning of transition to adult centered care as experienced by Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy (YA-CP) through the research question: What are the lived experiences of young adults with cerebral palsy transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare?
Method: 6 females and 3 males, aged 19 -25 years of age, who identified as carrying the diagnosis of cerebral palsy without cognitive impairment were interviewed. Giorgi's (1985) method for analysis of phenomenology was the framework for the study and guided the phenomenological reduction.
Results: The lived experiences of YA-CPs transition to adult health care, expressed from the data is expert novices with evidence and experience based expectations, negotiating new systems (effective/ineffective) interdependently (parents and provider support) accepting less than was expected.
Conclusions: More information and support is needed for the YA-CP during transition to ensure a well-organized move to appropriate adult-oriented health care that is considerate of the lifelong impact of the disorder. Nursing's role as advocate, mentor and guide can optimize the individual's response to the transition process.
Recommended Citation
Carroll, Ellen McLaughlin, "The Lived Experiences of Transition to Adult Healthcare in Young Adults with Cerebral Palsy" (2013). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/gc_etds/1717
Comments
Digital reproduction from the UMI microform.