Conclusions
Our findings demonstrate that participation in an intensive TN intervention targeting adolescents and young adults 17-20 years old with SCD over 6-12 months was associated with significant improvement in transition readiness, disease knowledge, and confidence in disease and pain management. The intervention was acceptable to youth and feasible to implement at an urban academic medical center. Further testing of the feasibility of adapting this TN intervention for telehealth or video implementation is warranted, as this could allow for more efficient delivery and for increased impact to a larger patient population as well. Longer-term assessment is needed to determine whether a transition navigator intervention improves successful transfer to and retention in adult care, and if it reduces morbidity, ED reliance and hospitalization over time.
Authorship: DM, LB, MD, EJS designed the study, analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. LD designed the study, analyzed the data and revised the manuscript RC, DR, RS, SO designed the study, analyzed the data and reviewed the manuscript. DM oversaw the study conduct and data collection. JJ analyzed the data and wrote the manuscript. MM, KI, KM, CM conducted the study, collected data and reviewed the manuscript. EJS performed statistical analyses.
Conflict of interest statement: The authors declare no competing financial conflicts.
Data available on request from the authors
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