N21 Self-management and healthcare utilisation of 16–21 year olds with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) attending one Irish hospital

Background

IBD is an umbrella term used to describe Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, both characterised as lifelong relapsing remitting diseases (O’Connor et al., 2013). Hope et al (2012) reported a significant increase in the incidence of childhood IBD in Ireland over a relatively short period of time.

The aim of this research study was to assess the self-management and healthcare utilisation skills of adolescents and young adults (AYA) (aged 16–21 years) with (IBD).

Methods

Service users aged from 16 to 21 attending the IBD service were asked to complete the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ). Divided into five domains, 20 questions related to: managing medications, appointment keeping, tracking health issues, talking with providers and managing daily activities.

Results

31 completed questionnaires were returned via stamped addressed envelope provided. Seventeen patients were diagnosed in a paediatric hospital and 14 were diagnosed in adult hospital services. Seventy-five per cent of respondents manage their own medications, 50% take responsibility for appointment keeping and 51% keep track of their health issues. Eighty-nine per cent talk to health care providers independently and 81% manage daily activities independently. Further analysis showed that females had significantly higher health tracking scores compared with males p = 0.04. Overall, 65% of all female users provided positive feedback regarding this domain. In male group this score reached only 40%. The biggest discrepancy was noted in relation to query concerning the list of questions before doctor`s visit. Almost 70% of females replied positively to this question, while only 28% of male patients provided positive answer. There was no significant difference in scores from those diagnosed in paediatric setting vs. those diagnosed in adult hospital services.