Exploring the views of young adults in a rheumatology clinic

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Exploring the Experiences, Expectations and Needs of Young Adults with an Inflammatory Arthritis Attending a Rheumatology Service

• IRAS ID

  260023

• Contact name

  Sarah Ryan

• Contact email

  sarah.ryan2@mpft.nhs.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Keele University

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  A young adult is the term used in healthcare to describe people aged between 16-25 years old. Young adults with inflammatory arthritis are often reviewed in adult clinics where the majority of patients are older and have different needs. The health professionals that review young adults may be less aware of their specific health needs such as being offered late appointment times to comply with college attendance. Dedicated young adult clinics aim to provide a more holistic approach to care, with a focus on areas of particular importance to young adults (Fay & Lee, 2017). Including sexual health relationships (personal/family), education, employment, diet, physical activity, drugs/alcohol/tobacco, self-harm, depression and poor self-image(Foster et al 2017, NICE 2016).
  If an inflammatory arthritis is suspected in a young person between 16-25 years of age the individual will be referred into an adult rheumatology service, as new referrals to paediatric services are restricted to children under 16 years of age.
  Although there has been some research evaluating the needs of young adults with arthritis transitioning from paediatric to adult rheumatology care, to date, no research has been conducted on the experiences, expectations and needs of similarly aged young adults referred directly into an adult rheumatology service

  The aim of this research project is to explore the needs of young people (16-25 years) referred to an adult rheumatology service. Two focus groups, with 8-10 participants in each group will be conducted to explore the experiences, expectations and needs of young adults attending an adult rheumatology follow up clinic. The first focus group will comprise of young adults who have only experienced attending an adult rheumatology clinic. Whilst the participants of the second focus group will have transferred from paediatric care to adult services at the age of 16 years

• REC name

  North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  20/NE/0043

• Date of REC Opinion

  4 Feb 2020

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion