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A discussion of healthcare support for adolescents and young adults with long‐term conditions: Current policy and practice and future opportunities
Author(s) -
James Steven,
Perry Lin,
Gallagher Robyn,
Lowe Julia
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of nursing practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.62
H-Index - 55
eISSN - 1440-172X
pISSN - 1322-7114
DOI - 10.1111/ijn.12882
Subject(s) - biopsychosocial model , variety (cybernetics) , accountability , health care , young adult , service (business) , psychology , nursing , medicine , gerontology , public relations , medical education , political science , business , psychiatry , computer science , marketing , artificial intelligence , law
Background Adolescence and young adulthood can be a period of significant and unique life changes in which competing demands and challenges distract from disease self‐management. Specific challenges related to the way individual services are configured can also limit the support available. This paper presents a discussion of healthcare service support for adolescents and young adults, using type 1 diabetes as an exemplar. Design Discussion paper. Results A wide variety of issues at the biopsychosocial level of the individual, health services policy and practice pose challenges to effective health support for adolescents and young adults. Intersectoral, multilevel and multicomponent opportunities are available to engage and empower young people to be part of change and accountability mechanisms and to transform the support available and outcomes achievable. A priority research agenda can benefit patients, families and their communities. Conclusion Future policy and practice development may assist clinicians, service providers and managers, policymakers, non‐governmental organizations and community groups to deliver more effective and efficient support to vulnerable adolescent and young adult populations.