Background/Purpose: The transition to adulthood for young people with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) can be difficult and lead to undesirable outcomes in terms of socio-professional integration and transition to adult care. The purpose of this study was to explore how health care professionals (HCPs), in particular occupational therapists (OTs), perceive the needs of young people and adults (18 to 25 years of age) with JIA in the transition to adulthood.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative study design was used. Recruitment was done at a rehabilitation center in Montreal. Health professionals working with people who have JIA were recruited.  Individual semi-structured interviews were completed with OTs (n=2) and one focus group (n=12) was completed and included different HCPs (OT, physiotherapist, psychologist, special care counselor, dietician, manager). A thematic analysis of the interview transcript was conducted using QDAMiner software.

Results: Health care professionals reported that young people with JIA have difficulty integrating within the adult care system due in part to their lack of readiness for transition, the limited relevance of adult services provided and their difficulties in taking on more responsibility in disease self-management. According to participants, the first services provided in adult care focus on disease self-management, schooling/education and A number of treatment changes and improvements were proposed by HCPs: campaigning to raise public awareness about JIA, encouraging group interventions and creating/improving links between health care and community-based services.

Conclusion: These preliminary findings highlight how the transitioning needs of young people and adults with JIA remain underserved, specifically in terms of vocational aspirations (training and employment) and integration in adult care. Further research is needed to assess how provision of specialised OT services may improve the transition process in JIA.

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ACR Meeting Abstracts - https://acrabstracts.org/abstract/health-care-professionals-and-transition-to-adulthood-for-youth-with-juvenile-idiopathic-arthritis/