Graduate Studies

Design for Health (MDes)

Christina Dery

Youth Healthcare Transition: A Conceptual Framework

Youth healthcare transition is a key area of need for system transformation, but national consensus on guidelines are yet to be defined. The gaps that exist in transition to adult care are well known and acknowledged in research, however making sense of the system as a whole using visualization and metaphor has been seldom explored. Through literature review, stakeholder analysis, systems mapping, visual knowledge translation, and grounded theory for theme identification, a conceptual framework was developed. The framework identifies guiding principles (bridges), and needs (connectors) for addressing fragmented experiences of youth healthcare transition.

“This conceptual framework offers guiding principles and ares of need for youth health care transition, offering a path to seamless and gradual experiences grounded in collaboration, communication, and coordination for 'building bridges and passing batons'”