Portfolio of health advice for young people with disabilities transferring to adult care

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The transition from paediatric to adult services for young people with complex disabilities is fraught with anxieties for families. To facilitate the transition process a portfolio comprising reports from parents, paediatrician and therapists was collected and given to the young person and family on leaving school. AIM: To evaluate the young people and their parents' views of the usefulness of portfolios in providing comprehensive picture of their health needs. METHODS: A prospective study was performed. Eight families were interviewed and semi-quantitative feedback obtained using standardized questionnaires. RESULTS: Seven out of eight young people and their families were satisfied with the portfolios they received. All of them found the portfolios worthwhile and useful. A quarter of the families would like to have been consulted more about the content of the individual reports. CONCLUSIONS: Portfolios of health reports facilitate transfer of information when young people with disabilities move from paediatric to adult services. Ideally portfolios should be interagency, and include reports from education and social services.