Gender and Transition From Pediatric to Adult Health Care Among Youth With Acquired Brain Injury: Experiences in a Transition Model

Abstract

Objective: To explore gender and sex differences in experiences of transitioning to adult health care among young adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) who take part in a coordinated model of transitional care.

Design: Descriptive design using in-depth semistructured qualitative interviews.

Setting: Interviews over the phone and in person.

Participants: Participants (N=18) included 10 young adults with a diagnosis of ABI (4 women, 6 men; age range, 19-21y) and 9 parents (8 women, 1 man) from the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada.

Interventions: Not applicable.

Main outcome measure: Semistructured interviews with participants.

Results: Our findings highlight several commonalities and differences relative to sex and gender among young adults with ABI who are transitioning from pediatric to adult care. Both young adult men and women experienced a similar transition process and similar organization, continuity, and availability of care. Sex differences were found in relational factors (eg, communication, family involvement, social support). Young adult men, and parents of the men, differed in their transition regarding relational factors (eg, communication, family involvement).

Conclusions: Our findings show that young adult men and women with ABI who have taken part in a transition preparation program experience similarities in organization, continuity, and availability of care, but they experience differences in relational factors (eg, communication, family involvement).

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00975338.

Keywords: Adolescent; Brain injuries; Gender identity; Pediatrics; Rehabilitation.