A Healthy Amount of Trust: Healthcare Utilization Choices with Young Adults with Chronic Health Conditions

• In Event: 4167 - Section on Children and Youth Roundtables (1 hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable 60min: Children & Youth Roundtable 2: Physical Health

Abstract

Advances in medicine have ensured that more children with serious medical conditions reach adulthood than ever before (Rosen et al. 2003), but little is known about their choices to engage with medical professionals. Many young adults with serious health conditions in childhood do not feel equipped to navigate the healthcare system once they have left pediatrics. Some subsequently disengage entirely with doctors (Kadan-Lottick et al. 2002; Kirk 2008). This study uses the narratives crafted by young adults who had the onset of chronic health conditions in childhood to examine why they may or may not engage with the healthcare system as young adults. We analyzed 22 interviews with young adults, deliberately recruiting outside of healthcare institutions. While we found varying levels of engagement, we also found that negative experiences with actors from the healthcare institution created barriers to the healthcare system as an institution. Further, interviewees found doctor’s recommendations, such as reliance on medication and hospitalization, incompatible with being a “healthy” millennial. Patient autonomy in interactions with medical professionals, both in pediatric care and with young adults, is paramount to improving utilization rates of health services in young adulthood.

Author

• Hillary Steinberg, CU Boulder